Some new signage will soon replace the familiar Ambrose grocery sign. (Facebook/ Ambrose Grocery)

By Nigel Maxwell

Community change

New grocery legacy begins at Emma Lake

Mar 1, 2022 | 5:00 PM

A new era has officially started at Emma Lake, with the opening of Lake Country Co-op at Ambrose grocery.

Formerly known as just Ambrose Grocery, an announcement was made in January that the long time grocery store, was changing hands, along with their other commercial units.

“We are very excited to have the opportunity to join the business community in the RM of Lakeland while providing exceptional products and services to new and existing members and customers deep in the heart of Lake Country,” Lake Country CEO Tim Keller said in a statement. “This investment supports not only the local community, but also contributes to the long-term success and sustainability of our association.”

In addition to providing a vast selection of food and liquor products as well as a fuel and propane offering, the ever-popular Bear Country Fudge is included with the deal as well. And to help sweeten the deal, all existing Ambrose employees were offered employment.

A picture taken of the Palidwar family together on Father’s Day. (Submitted/ Sherry Palidwar)

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Aaron Palidwar and his family have been running the store since 2017, and he acknowledged to paNOW it was difficult to hand the keys over.

“It’s definitely been an emotional week for us. You know retail is in our blood, that’s what we have done our whole life,” he said.

Reflecting back on the past five years, Palidwar said he was proud of the work accomplished, including the expansion of the store’s bakery, and the introduction of other services such as propane, the pharmacy and even the new cannabis store.

“We kind of exhausted all our ideas and really we wanted to make it a one stop shop because we live here. Anything we would want to purchase as a customer, we thought we should try and offer,” he said.

While walking away from the grocery store, the Palidwar family still owns the nearby pharmacy, as well as a second pharmacy in Prince Albert at the Crescent Park Pharmasave.

“I think the community is going to be surprised and [Co-op] is gonna take it to the next level and carry on a legacy themselves,” Palidwar said, adding he and his wife Sherry will forever be grateful for the community’s support.

District of Lakeland Reeve Walter Plessl said the District is happy to have Lake Country Co-op serve the community.

“The former owners did a great job in offering all the amenities to use and Co-op must have seen a great opportunity to take the business over,” he said.

The existing Nica’s Clothing and Accessories, Pharmasave and Sprucebuds Cannabis will continue to operate on the site independently.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twtter: @nigelmaxwell