Farm Boy comes to the Forest City

Farm Boy, an Ottawa-based fresh grocery chain, is opening a new location in London, Ont. tomorrow.

This brings the retailer’s tally to 15 locations. While Farm Boy has earned a solid reputation in eastern Ontario – most of its stores are in the Ottawa area, as well as one in Cornwall and Kingston – this is its first venture in the London area.

The first London store, located on Wellington road, will be in line with Farm Boy’s other locations, with a focus on fresh produce, sustainable seafood, artisan cheese, private label items, as well as gluten free and organic products.

Farm Boy has also placed particular emphasis on locally-made foods – it held a vendor fair in Guelph this past March to meet with southwestern Ontario food processors, farmers, processors and suppliers, and has since partnered with over 40 suppliers in the area.

The 27,000-sq.-ft store will also feature a 60-foot salad and hot food bar, which will offer meals that shoppers can take home, or eat in an in-store seating area.

Company officials indicated in the past that Farm Boy is scouting more locations in London. While at the time, they noted they would like to open a second store in the city, no details have been provided yet.

“We look forward to opening our doors and welcoming our new London customers, and to providing the freshest, tastiest foods for them and their families,” said Jeff York, Farm Boy CEO in a release.

The grand opening of the store will take place on Saturday. Londoners will have the opportunity to meet local vendors as well as Stephanie Brewster, winner of the popular reality show Chopped Canada.

Take a video tour of the new location:

http://youtu.be/2AbNn_J-S6k