Proposed new grocery store in Midtown greeted with optimism

It has been nearly two decades since there was a full-service grocery store in downtown Saskatoon.

Brent Penner is hopeful that’s about to change.

The executive director of the Downtown Saskatoon Business Improvement District offered his thoughts Thursday on the news that Vancouver-based developer Arbutus Properties has approached the city about opening a Pitchfork Market + Kitchen store in the Midtown Plaza.

“It’s great news,” Penner said. “It’s something that has been talked about for many years and it’s great to see something in the works that hopefully comes to fruition and provides an option for people that hasn’t existed …(since) 2004.

“It’s a long time coming.”

On Saturday, Saskatoon lost one grocery store in its core when the Extra Foods store on Broadway Avenue closed.

Penner said if the new store opens in Midtown, that could help fill a void in that neighbourhood.

“We hear from people who live downtown who may want to choose a lifestyle where they don’t have a vehicle,” he said. “This allows those who want to walk a little bit to get groceries or who live downtown to take a short Uber or bus ride or to walk to a store.

“I think it can change things on many levels.”

Penner noted the store could service a number of other neighbourhoods besides the downtown, including Riversdale, Caswell Hill, City Park and Nutana.

He believes the store also could be a signal to smaller businesses that the downtown is open for business.

“That’s a big positive out of this,” Penner said. “You have a significant-sized footprint at Midtown that will help positively impact others and their decision-making about where to locate future businesses or, in some cases, where they might choose to live.”

Arbutus Properties is asking council to fast-track improvements to intersections along Idylwyld Drive near the mall, which could be helpful for more than just the developer.

If approved by city council, and if traffic and parking requirements are met, the new store could open its doors by early next year.

— With files from 650 CKOM’s Lara Fominoff