After more than 50 years of calling Dunbar and 28th home, Stong鈥檚 Market is temporarily packing up shop. But the family-run grocery store will be getting a face lift and returning home to Dunbar in the winter, settling down the road in an upcoming, newly built complex.
The Ivy on Dunbar, set to be completed by Dec. 1, will be built in the heart of Dunbar Village at Dunbar and West 27th Ave. The new mixed-use building will house 50 condominium units and the new Stong鈥檚 location.
鈥淚t can鈥檛 come soon enough,鈥� said Colleen McGuinness, president of the Dunbar Residents Association. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a very lovely, community place and we think of them as family. I like the idea of them coming home for Christmas.鈥�
The new Ivy location will be an upgrade from its former spot, expanding approximately 8,000 square feet. The additional space will be used for improving the produce section, boosting the 鈥渉ot and ready鈥� to-go food, and introducing a new caf茅, said Cori Bonina, president of Stong鈥檚 Market.
Bonina, who is also the great grand-daughter of founder Carson Stong, said the decision to move was out of her hands. 鈥淭he landlords were redeveloping and we didn鈥檛 have a choice,鈥� she said over the phone.
Luckily, Bonina said, the Ivy approached her and suggested Stong鈥檚 move in. 鈥淚t was huge to stay in the area. That鈥檚 what鈥檚 important to us.鈥�
The constant supply of good produce, the unparalleled customer service, and the sense of community that will be missed most, according to regulars.
鈥淭he visit to Stong鈥檚 was a key part in a lot of seniors鈥� socializing,鈥� McGuinness said. 鈥淭hey got me eating rapini, but I can鈥檛 find it anywhere else. One time, the fellow at the produce section even gave me a few rapini recipes.鈥�
The independent grocer has a history of supporting the local communities where it operates, with the Dunbar location always having been its home base. It supplies all food and drink in the annual Cops For Cancer cycling tour and sponsors several youth soccer and hockey sports teams each year. Stong鈥檚 first little league baseball team dates back to 1958 and has grown to two little league baseball teams.
鈥淭heir contribution to youth in Dunbar goes back 58 years 鈥� that鈥檚 a long time,鈥� McGuinness said.
Stong鈥檚 will be offering a store-to-door delivery service seven days a week out of its new North 麻豆传媒映画store opening May 28. Customers can order online or by phone through Stong鈥檚 Express, which was the first online grocery delivery service in Vancouver. Dunbar shoppers can expect a waived $8 dollar-delivery fee.
Stong鈥檚 on Dunbar invites the community to attend its Customer Appreciation Event on Thursday evening to mark the temporary closing of its historic home. 鈥淲e just wanted to [say] thank you for supporting us for so long,鈥� Bonina said.
The celebration runs from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. on May 19 at 4560 Dunbar St. Attendees can enjoy cookies and cakes and a final hoorah at the iconic neighbourhood fixture.
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This story has been corrected since first posted.
