Discount Grocer Creates More Than 120 Jobs with its 8th Store in Ottawa
OTTAWA (ON) – September 17, 2026 – After weeks of construction, Food Basics' newest location in Ottawa's Southgate community is now open and today celebrates its grand opening. The modern, 30,000-square-foot store, located at 2515 Bank Street, employs a team of more than 120 people and is the discount banner's 158th store in Ontario and eighth location in Ottawa.
"We are excited to bring Food Basics to Ottawa's Southgate community, offering more ways for residents to save," said John Manax, Vice President of Operations, Food Basics. "As our eighth store in Ottawa, Southgate marks another step in the continued growth of Food Basics across Ontario. This new location reflects our commitment to making Food Basics’ fresh, quality products at great prices more accessible to families in Ottawa.”
The new and contemporary store offers a tailored product selection that reflects the diversity of the Ottawa region. Customers will be able to shop for high-quality, budget-friendly Irrésistible and Selection products, locally sourced products, fresh meat and produce, along with fresh BBQ chicken. Additionally, customers can earn Moi Rewards and have the option to order groceries online at Foodbasics.ca at the same low prices as in store.
"Our main goal is to provide our customers with the best discount shopping experience possible with the most value at the lowest prices possible," said Meenaskshi Aggarwal, Store Manager, Food Basics. "I'm proud of our team and look forward to welcoming customers to our new store and serving the Southgate community for years to come."
To further strengthen its commitment to the community, Food Basics will donate $5,000 to the Ottawa Food Bank, a long-time partner in the fight against food insecurity. Through One More Bite, METRO's food recovery program, nearly 45 million kilograms of food have been distributed between 2016 and 2025, helping to fight food insecurity while keeping waste out of landfills. This donation will help support local families and strengthen Food Basics' long-standing commitment to fighting food insecurity.
The new Food Basics store is open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. To celebrate the grand opening, gift bags will be given to the first 250 customers with tasty samples throughout the day.
Canadian and proud since 1995
For 31 years, Food Basics has been helping customers save money on their grocery needs by providing Always More for Less. Food Basics operates on three guiding principles: Always Fresh, Always in Stock and Always at Great Prices. Food Basics is the discount banner of Metro Ontario Inc. and currently operates 158 stores across Ontario.
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For further information:
METRO Media Relations
media@metro.ca