By Geoff Smith (@GeoffSmithLNN on Twitter)

North side grocery store closes after more than 50 years

Nov 27, 2018 | 8:20 AM

LETHBRIDGE – It’s a horrible feeling for Tom Clements, as the owner of Norbridge Village Market waits for his supplier to pick up the store’s merchandise.

“I just couldn’t do it no more,” Clements said in an interview with LethbridgeNewsNOW inside the longtime grocery store at 732 – 23 St. N. The doors have been locked since Clements decided he couldn’t in good conscience renew his lease. That lease ends Nov. 30.

After owning the store for 15 years, Clements said business was “way down.” He said part of the problem was its size – too small to be a supermarket; too big to be a convenience store.

“It was getting harder and harder to sell things. You can’t be out there competing; it was more of a local draw area than anything else.”

He said it had regular customers who will be disappointed now that it’s gone. During the interview, Clements turned away a number of people who came to the door.

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The store has had several names since Alfons and Theresa Krol first opened Krol’s Grocery Ltd. in the Norbridge Shopping Centre on Aug. 20, 1964. In 1973 the Krols sold the business and it became Super Sam, followed by Chuck’s AG Foods in 1994.

Later, it was operated by Duane Gurr as one of his two Value Village stores (no connection to the thrift store chain). He changed the name to Norbridge Village Market in 2000 at the same time that the other Value Village location became London Road Market.

Five employees were laid off as part of the closure. Clements said he’ll be looking for a job along with them. But he’s looking forward to a more regular work schedule.

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