Buy-Low Foods, the Robinsons' main supplier for many years, is taking over.
Fuchsia Dragon | [email protected]
It is the end of an era for Jasper’s longest standing grocery store.
The Robinson family business has stood on the corner of Connaught and Balsam for 96 years.
But the Robinsons have decided they have reached their Best Before dates, and are taking a well-earned break.
“It’s mixed feelings when you grow up in an industry and it’s time to switch over,” said Raymond Robinson, a third generation Robinson who owns the store with his wife, Diana Laarz.
“I grew up that way and our girls, my brothers and sisters worked there.
"It becomes part of you when you do it long enough - it becomes your life.”
Every member of the Robinson family has worked at the store “at one time or another” over the past nearly-century.
And what was it like growing up in a grocery store?
“Well, I never went hungry,” Robinson laughed.
“I have lots of good memories here. Lots when I was a kid, too many - some I probably can’t tell.”
And the food industry was always the path for Robinson.
“I’ve always had opportunity to do something different,” he said.
"I went to secondary schooling, but this is what I was good at and chose to do and enjoyed it.”
Around 2008, the Robinsons store had a major upgrade. It became the fourth Robinsons grocery store in that location.
“That was a pretty big undertaking,” said Robinson.
“You have keep updated right and keep current and we knew we were going to do that. It’s whether you are in the game or not.
“We have committed a lot of resources and worked hard and we are satisfied with what we’ve done.”
But now the family has decided to move on.
“It’s been a long time,” said Robinson.
“Our girls have started university and have their own career goals in mind so it was always going to end with me.
“We would rather have the ability to go and do things while we are still in good shape. We have worked hard enough towards that.”
Pictured: Raymond Robinson, Diane Laarz and their daughters Pascale and Mikaela.
Laarz said she felt good and was looking forward to a change after working every day for so long.
“The sad part will be not seeing everybody every day,” she said.
“A grocery store is not like a hotel. We see the locals every day.
“It has been a very good experience.”
Robinson said the couple will do “nothing and everything” now.
“We are just going to settle down and adjust to the new reality,” he said.
“It’s all part of evolution.”
And the news of their departure has been responded to with congratulations and good wishes from the community.
“It’s been really encouraging,” said Robinson.
“We had a fairly good reputation over the years and have been known for lots of community involvement.
“My grandfather and father had great reputations so I hope we carried that on.”
THE BUYER
Robinsons has been bought by Buy-Low Foods and they take over today (Sunday, September 15).
The company, through their Associated Grocers Wholesale division, has been Robinsons’ main supplier for many years.
Laarz said: “It was important to us that the people we sold to would understand and care about small communities.
“We know that they will serve our customers and our community with the same passion and dedication we have had all our years.”
Buy-Low Foods was founded as a single store in 1966 and today owns 60 stores across British Columbia, Alberta and soon in Saskatchewan.
In a press release, company president Dan Bregg wished Ray and Diana the very best in their retirement and confirmed that current staff would be staying on in the store.
“For us at Buy-Low, a commitment to community starts with the people working in the stores,” he said.
“At Robinsons AG Foods, they have a talented group of people, many of whom have served the community very well over the years.”
Bregg said he looked forward to “many years of serving and being part of the Jasper community”.
“At the same time,” he said, “We know that we will have to continue to work hard to maintain the support of consumers in the community.”
