This is a story about a locally owned and family-operated grocery store in Greater Victoria. Market on Yates opened its doors in 1999 and is still going strong as it celebrates its 25th year in the business. 

In order to fully appreciate this accomplishment, however, it may be worth providing a little context.  

The grocery business in Canada, and by extension, Greater Victoria, is dominated by three domestic giants: Loblaws, Metro, and Sobeys owner, Empire, though all three operate a host of grocery stores under many names.  

In addition to these domestic monoliths, some foreign-owned players like Costco and Walmart have moved into the grocery game and, between these giants, smaller grocers have felt the pressure on their survival. 

At the same time, a 2023 report by Competition Bureau Canada reported that new entrants and existing independents need the government's and their communities' support to best serve the public. 

Though it's a situation Market on Yates owner Darryl Hein fully appreciates, he is confident in his businessB次元官网网址檚 future. 

B次元官网网址淲e have exceptional customer service, and the owners are in the store,B次元官网网址� said Hein. B次元官网网址淭hat doesnB次元官网网址檛 happen with the big chains.B次元官网网址� 

Looking around his store, there is an obvious sense of pride in the products and customer service that his store provides. 

B次元官网网址淲e respect our customers and genuinely care for them. If they ask for something they canB次元官网网址檛 find anywhere, weB次元官网网址檒l bring it in for them,B次元官网网址� said Hein. B次元官网网址淲e know our customers. A lot of people have been coming here since we opened, and new customers come in every day B次元官网网址� people that know weB次元官网网址檙e local and independent and they like that and want to support it.B次元官网网址� 

That support and feeling of ownership extends to the storeB次元官网网址檚 staff.  

B次元官网网址淲e have about 25 employees who have been with us for over 15 years. They know the customers and the store and treat them with the respect they deserve. These are people who will tell you that the customer is number one and that theyB次元官网网址檙e the boss.B次元官网网址� 

ThatB次元官网网址檚 not to say that the Market Stores have remained in the past. 

TheyB次元官网网址檝e managed to stay with the times and offer online shopping and self-checkout counters, for example. But for Hein, it's the melding of new technologies and expectations with old-style service that creates the best experience for the customer.

The approach appears to be working as Hein opened the second Market Stores location in Millstream Village in 2006, which has become a favourite of West Shore residents. 

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been with this store since 1999 when Ernie Skinner opened it. I managed the store since then and, in 2022 I bought ErnieB次元官网网址檚 shares and became the CEO of the Market Stores,B次元官网网址� said Hein. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 important to me to keep up the variety, cleanliness and customer service that people have come to expect of our store. ItB次元官网网址檚 a tough business, but itB次元官网网址檚 one that I love.B次元官网网址�