Walking into the new Sobey’s on Babineau Avenue in Charlottetown is akin to entering the doors of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
It’s almost overwhelming to the senses. In fact, it’s practically a crime to call this place a grocery store because it’s more than that, a whole lot more than that.
A wall of fresh flowers greets shoppers on the left and a sea of freshly-ground coffee, chocolate, fudge and culinary-made cakes hit people on the right.
If that isn’t enough to inspire a sweet tooth, try resisting the sight of a continuously flowing chocolate fountain or the Cows and Anne of Green Gables chocolate bars.
And, there’s a bevy of freshly-made Ganong chocolates and Acadian Maple fudge waiting for shoppers too.
Good thing that Sobey’s has designed a bistro for people to sit and relax right next door.
All of this within the first few feet of the 50,000-square-foot store.
Sobey’s opened its newest store Friday in the new PlazaCorp mall next to the Charlottetown Mall. The company closed its location on Buchanan Drive (across from Canadian Tire) at closing time Thursday night. That location will soon be home to its new tenant, Toys R Us.
The store created such attention that store managers from Sobey’s locations across Atlantic Canada dropped by Thursday to see what all the fuss was about.
Carl Cudmore, store manager, said there’s a purpose behind having the wall of flowers greeting customers.
“Part of well-being is to take flowers home, feel better about yourself,’’ Cudmore said. “Lots of people are into gardening so flowers fits into that well-being mindset that we’re striving for.’’
The new Charlottetown Sobey’s is the first in the chain to offer a section dedicated to K-Cups for those with the specialty coffee makers.
As for the cakes, not only are they extremely tempting to the eyes, they are drenched with fresh fruit, a theme the store is using as Islanders head into summer.
It’s also the first store in the chain to boast its own full-time chef.
Erin Henry, fresh from working in Europe and competing for Canada at the culinary Olympics, is there to make sure no one goes home without the right cooking advice.
“I’m preparing things in the ready-to-cook program for the butcher’s case and the other part of my day I spend out doing demos of whatever looks good for the day,’’ Henry said.
Based on treats she offered to the media during a tour Thursday, it would be a good idea to be there when she’s doing those demos.
The store also boasts a rather large seafood section, complete with a 13-pound lobster on display.
After that is an international meat section with everything from bison, elk and deer meat to ostrich and frog legs. There’s plenty to choose from — Caribbean, Asian and Dutch flavours and much more.
The centre of the store appears different from the rest in that it is extremely well lit. There, customers will find the store’s wellness co-ordinator with insights on an extensive range of natural source and well-being products.
There are five aisles of natural products to choose from, including plenty of gluten-free choices. One in 133 people in the world suffer from Celiac Disease so gluten-free food is a fast-growing industry.
Towards the end of the tour came rows and rows of pet food. It’s the only store in Atlantic Canada that boasts its own refrigerated pet food. There’s even bulk bins to load up on doggy treats.
Brian Morrissey, general manager of Sobey’s in Atlantic Canada, said the new Charlottetown store is about more than simply selling food.
“It’s all about offering customers the best food shopping experience, which is why we’re opening this brand new store in West Royalty,’’ Morrissey said. “It’s the first store on the Island to feature out most innovative offer to date."