Farm Boy opens in Barrie, Ont. next week

The "gateway to cottage country" is getting its first Farm Boy store at the end of the month.

Located at 436 Bryne Drive, the new 30,046-sq.-ft. location in Barrie, Ont. will employ 119 people when it opens its doors on March 31. It will offer a wide variety of farm fresh produce, butcher-quality meats, artisan cheese, fresh dairy, and plant-based and vegan options.

“For over 40 years, the Farm Boy experience has been rooted in fresh, wholesome food, along with exceptional customer service,” said Farm Boy president and general manager Jean-Louis Bellemare. “We are so excited to share our many Ontario-made products with Barrie and cannot wait to be a part of this thriving community.”

Empire has been aggressively growing the Farm Boy banner since it acquired the Ontario-based grocer for $800 million in 2018. With Empire behind it, Farm Boy has better access to premium sites all around the Greater Toronto Area and in the downtown core.

Farm Boy opened eight stores in 2021 and recently opened its first store in Guelph, Ont., bringing its total store count to 42 locations in the province.