Food Basics announces the store will stay at Smiths Falls County Fair Mall EVELYN HARFORD
eharford@metroland.com
After months of uncertainty, Food Basics has announced they will be here to stay at the County Fair Mall in Smiths Falls. Food Basics’ corporate office confirmed via email March 17 that their Food Basics location in town won’t be going anywhere after all. “We are pleased to announce that Food Basics has reached an agreement with the mall landlord and will continue to do business in Smiths Falls,” said Mark Bernhardt, communications specialist for Food Basics. “We look forward to serving our customers in Smiths Falls and the surrounding community.” The decision to stay at the County Fair Mall was in limbo after Guy Saumure & Sons bought the mall in December. RioCan — the previous owner of the County Fair Mall — had announced the mall would be demolished this summer. When RioCan announced their intention to demolish the mall, its tenants started to find somewhere else to go. The Dollar Tree has already vacated the County Fair Mall, while the mall’s pharmacy — Remedy’s RX — who was in the process of vacating was able to retract their deal to move and will
Saumure said he's working to get more tenants ing Company, which decided to make the County also remain in the mall along with the Drive Cenin the mall and is excited to breathe new life into Fair Mall home in December when Guy Saumure tre and others. & Sons bought the mall. The company will be Food Basics found themselves in a similar situ- the mall. And some fresh new energy will be coming to opening their Smiths Falls brewery and a meration as Remedy's RX. Initially, the store announced it would vacate the mall this spring, including 4 Degrees Brew- chandise within the old Staples store footprint. the mall in January 2017, but once the mall was purchased by the Saumures in December the Tammy’s Nail Salon Presents Sunday April 2nd, 1-4pm deadline to vacate was pushed back to April Registration 12 pm the 7th Annual 2017. District Collegiate Institute The store's looming closure had some people worried. 299 Percy Street, Smiths Falls, On Coun. Chris Cummings had voiced concerns about the grocery store’s uncertain future last To make a donation, please contact year after RioCan’s announcement. Cummings concern came from the fact that Tammy’s Nails 613-283-4277 The afternoon will include: many seniors on the south end of town rely on thepurseevent@gmail.com A free gift for the first 25 guests. A Live and Silent the grocery store near retirement residences. Auction. Bargain tables full of purses and great deals. Mayor Shawn Pankow also expressed concern A Draw Table full of interesting gifts to be won. about the jobs that were in limbo when the Count A light lunch will be available for purchase. men Pay ty Fair Mall was slated for demolition. by que Proudly sponsored by Che The Food Basics store in town employs about h or y! s a C Onl 40 people, some of whom left the store in search of other jobs during the uncertain times. Chris Saumure, vice president and manager of We are very pleased to welcome back the help of the Smiths Falls Fire Department and operations at Guy Saumure & Sons, expressed Joint’s Auction Services Their presence will be a great asset to this years event. that he and his company are pleased the grocery store will remain at the County Fair Mall. "It's great," he said.
Purse Event
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Smiths Falls’ Food Basics, located within the County Fair Mall.
Proceeds benefit The Kidney Foundation of Canada
Evelyn Harford/Metroland
Town extends LIP program EVELYN HARFORD
eharford@metroland.com
The Town of Smiths Falls has decided to extend its Local Immigration Partnership (LIP) program for another three years thanks to federal funding. The town’s council was asked to support the extension by Cyril Cooper, manager of economic development, during their committee of the whole meeting on March 13. The LIP program started in 2011 and has continued to provided newcomers to the area facilitation, financial support, in-kind contributions and other vital information. The town said the program has “continued to demonstrate strong support within our community.” Many community partners are involved with the LIP program, including ontrac Employment Services, TR Leger Immigrant Services, Smiths Falls Public Library, Small Business Enterprise Centre, Chinese and Canadian Heritage
Cultural Association, the community police department, United Way, Smiths Falls District and Collegiate Institute, and the economic development department. The partners help to form a network of services and offer support to newcomers that are interested in settling and integrating into Smiths Falls. Three more years of funding has been approved by Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada for $315,773. Council passed a bylaw authorizing the agreement with the feds to ensure the funded program can go forward. The program aligns with the town’s strategic priorities of growth and expansion, both of the commercial tax base and residential population. The program also works with the town’s economic development and tourism department, working to attract investment and labour to Smiths Falls. The extension will mean that the program will continue until March 2020.
kidneycar.ca 1.866.788.CARS
www.twp.beckwith.on.ca The meeting dates are as follows: Thursday, March 23rd, 2017 • 2:00 PM Heritage Comm. Reeve Richard Kidd
MARCH INTERIM TAX BILLS – DUE MONDAY MARCH 27TH, 2017 The March Interim tax bills have been mailed out and if you have not received yours yet, please contact the Township Office at 613-257-1539. The March Interim tax bill installment is due Monday March 27th, 2017. For your convenience the office will be open Saturday March 25th, 2017 from 9:00 am – noon, to receive tax payments only.
MONDAY April 3rd May 1st June 5th July 3rd
The Beckwith Youth Committee is hosting….. The Canadian Safety Council BABYSITTERS COURSE May 5th & 6th, 2017 Friday: 7:00 ~ 9:00 p.m. and Saturday: 9:00 a.m. ~ 4:00 p.m. Brunton Community Hall ~ 1702 9th Line Beckwith $45.00 Registration Fee Taught by Heather Legge, Bring Your Lunch Must be turning 12 years of age in 2017 or older
To register, or for further information please contact the Beckwith Recreation Department at 613-257-1539.
Large Item Pick-up Dates for 2017 TUESDAY April 4th May 2nd June 6th July 4th
MONDAY August 14th September 11th October 2nd
TUESDAY August 15th September 12th October 3rd
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Connected to Your Community - SF5 - Thursday, March 23, 2017