Oct. 30 was a big night for Village Food Markets, earning prestigious honours at the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers (CFIG) Awards, along with induction into the Hall of Fame.
The independently owned grocery store won the Regional Award for B.C./Yukon, the National Gold Award (both in the medium surface category), and was inducted into the Hall of Fame, due to previously winning gold in 1997 and the heritage award in 2020.
"It was pretty amazing to be on stage in front of everyone there from across Canada," said Ed Banys, store manager.
In an interview with Sooke News Mirror, Banys used the moment to applaud his team.
"I'd like to thank Chris Dickson, my assistant store manager, Gina Chisholm, our office manager, and all the department managers, plus our full and part-time staff for all they do. They do an amazing job day in and day out.
"Also Bruce Logan, Jerry Liedtke, and Scott, Glenn and Russell Logan as store owners for 'setting the bar' for quality and excellence," he said.
It's Village Food Markets' "community spirit" that sets it apart, Banys said. "We've got a really friendly staff. We give to the community. And we try to have a clean and fully-stocked store."
Banys has been with the grocer since 1989 when it was located across the street from its current location at 6661 Sooke Rd., which it moved to in 1995.
He credits the owners with fostering his passion for the business. "They've always been great to all of us, to be honest. It's why we have so many long-term employees. It's been a great career," he said.
