Developer makes pitch for downtown grocery store for Midtown Plaza

After years of trying to bring a grocery store back to Saskatoon’s downtown, the city has a company willing to give it a try.

Vancouver-based developer Arbutus Properties has approached the city about opening a Pitchfork Market + Kitchen store in the Midtown Plaza shopping centre.

The full-service grocery store along with a restaurant and takeout service would go into vacant space the mall had redeveloped for another business.

“This will be a huge shot in the arm for the downtown and surrounding neighbourhoods,” said Arbutus’ director of planning, Murray Totland.

“This has become an even more pressing need with the recent announcement by Loblaws to close their Broadway store.”

The Extra Foods store on Broadway Avenue closed on April 23, leaving the city’s core without a full service grocery store.

The first Pitchfork location opened in the Meadows Market last June.

Arbutus says support from the city would help offset the risk that comes with a downtown store.

The company is requesting a tax abatement from the city, along with $220,000 in roadway improvements on Idylwyld Drive between Auditorium Avenue and 22nd Street.

A report by city administration recommends approving the road work which was previously identified in the Imagine Idylwyld project plan.

However, the city is recommending against providing a tax incentive, as the available space at Midtown Plaza has already been approved for a tax abatement.

The city’s transportation committee will hear the developer’s formal pitch on Monday.