The owners of a long-standing organic local grocery store on Whyte Avenue in Edmonton says they may have to close their doors at the end of the week if they can’t raise $150,000.
The people that run Earth’s General Store on Whyte Avenue say inflationary and economic pressures are hitting them and their customers.
“We’ve seen with rising food costs that people are making really conscious decisions on where they’re spending their money, and there can be a lot of myths about the inaccessibility of spaces like this,” said Rebecca MacLeod, the president of the Ethical Community Organizations of Edmonton.
The company taking to social media to tell customers they’ll be closing the door permanently this Sunday, after 33 years in business unless owners can find $150,000 to keep the store open.
All shoppers CityNews spoke to Thursday said they were sad to see the Whyte Avenue institution leave, with most too upset to speak on camera. Other shoppers say this store has been a part of their family’s lives for years.
“I have a lot of memories with my family, we would come here, my son, when they had their old location by 109 Street, when I was pregnant I got all my cloth diapers there. I have plans to be out of town Sunday, so this was an impromptu. Oh my gosh, they’re closing I need to make time to go,” said one customer.
The grocery store now looking for a partner or an investment, quickly, not donations from the community.
“Our team has really explored every possible avenue to try and save the store. And at this moment, we really feel like the only viable option is to raise $150,000, a sizeable amount by Sunday, so that’s why we decided not to accept small donations,” explained MacLeod.
Saying while conversations around potential funding are taking place, MacLeod and owners are inviting customers to the store Sunday afternoon to bid farewell to the organic food market.