Farm Boy opens second London store

After planting roots in London last year, fresh grocer Farm Boy is expanding once again in the city.

The Ottawa-based chain opened its second London store on Thursday near the Masonville Mall.

As with Farm Boy's other 15 stores in Ontario, this new location (clocking in at 24,000 sq. ft.) focuses on fresh and organic products.

Farm Boy officials said they are especially keen to sell local products. Before the first London Farm Boy opened last June, the company held a vendor fair in nearby Guelph to meet with southwestern Ontario food processors, farmers, processors and suppliers.

Farm Boy said it is now working with 40 suppliers from southwestern Ontario. These include two London companies: Organic Works, a purveyor of gluten-free baked good, and Fire Roasted Coffee. Both of their products are available at the newest Farm Boy.

Other highlights of the store include a 50-foot salad and hot bar, 500 Ontario dairy products, including local organic milk, 300 varieties of cheese, and 63 “scoop your own” bulk items, including 22 organic choices.

Customers can stick around long after they’ve finished shopping with an in-store eating area with free WiFi.

Privately held Farm Boy was founded in 1981 in Cornwall, Ont. Up until recently all its stores were in Cornwall and Ottawa. But in recent years the company has expanded west in Ontario. In 2012 it opened in Kingston.

A third store is scheduled to open in London in May. The company an additional two stores this year, and four to five in 2016. Locations were not given.

The grand opening of the Masonville location will take place this Saturday, featuring samples from local suppliers and face painting for the children.

Take a video tour of the Masonville store:

https://youtu.be/2AF8BoHjqCA