Calgary Co-op gearing up for next-level store
In the next few years, Calgary shoppers will be able to access an innovative, ‘best-in-class’ urban grocery store as part of a new two-acre mixed-use development project, thanks to a collaboration between Calgary Co-Op and Truman Homes.
The grocer first acquired the land—located in the heart of the Marda Loop Neighbourhood just south of downtown—in 2020 and chose Truman Homes as its joint-venture and development partner after an extensive search. Pending planning and development approvals, the grocery store is expected to open in 2028.
Urban planner David White, principal and founder of CivicWorks, has been supporting the project from the get-go and says the team at Calgary Co-Op saw particular value for their members.
“The walkable environment allows them to better serve their member-owners’ needs while contributing to the growth in a transformative way in the community of Marda Loop,” he says.
Damon Tanzola, senior vice-president, Real Estate and Health & Wellness at Calgary Co-Op, says the grocer’s participation in the project—dubbed Marc & Mada Block—is a strategic move to optimize assets and its overall store network.
“We see significant value in participating in thoughtfully designed, higher-density developments that align with our co-operative values and provide opportunities for growth for our members,” he says. “Marda Loop will introduce an urban concept that is more efficient while supporting the neighborhood with our services.”
As the demand for housing continues to grow in Calgary, this development will feature three residential components including new homes, condos and affordable housing options with 15,000 square feet of commercial retail units.
Tanzola says the 27,000-square-foot Calgary Co-Op at the anchor of it all will introduce “a fresh shopping experience curated for food enthusiasts, with many of the offerings our current grocery stores provide, along with our unique line of curated Cal & Gary’s and Founders & Farmers products.”
White says the site is a “rare development opportunity,” consisting of underdeveloped inner-city land. Currently, the Marc & Mada Block is occupied by the Marda Loop Village, GoPerformance Fitness Lab and a private surface parking lot.
While more detailed design plans are still under development, White says the store will reflect the “best-in-class of urban format compact grocery experiences.”