Forced to change during the early stages of the pandemic, when bulk food was deemed dangerous, For Good Measure has emerged relatively unscathed and with a second location.
The 35-year-old Cadboro Bay grocer, which closed in the middle of March and offered online and delivery service before it was allowed to reopen in June with new safety protocols, has established a second location with the acquisition of Niagara Market in James Bay.
The company bought the 100-year-old Niagara Market in February, took possession in April and opened in the first week of June, offering gourmet bulk food, produce and coffee.
“It’s been an emotional roller coaster and a lot of hard work,” said Max Young, owner of For Good Measure. “I’m not sure I could have had worse timing to start a new venture.”
Young bought the Niagara Market and its rebuilt, second-floor apartments from Seamus McKeating and Jennifer Gunter, who reopened the store after a full renovation in 2017.
Young said when he finally took possession, he did another renovation of the grocery store, repainted, brought in new bulk bins, built a new kitchen where nuts are roasted and established a footprint that took into account the need for social-distancing.
He said the neighbourhood has been very welcoming, and the store is getting customers from around the region.
The James Bay location has room for nine customers at a time, while the Cadboro Bay store can accommodate four at a time.
