Small Grocer With Affordable Produce Opens New Location In Halifax
HALIFAX – A lot of grocery shoppers wish there was more competition for their money, outside of the usual supermarket giants. Well, in Halifax, shoppers just got a new choice when it comes to fruits and vegetables. Tomavo, a New Brunswick-based store that specializes in selling produce at competitive prices, will be moving into their 9,600 square foot Bayers Lake location on September 24.
“The ownership recognized there was a gap in the marketplace,” said Tomavo Director of Business Development, Frank Harrison. “Either produce was really inexpensive but horrible quality, or very expensive and decent quality. To feed a family in the Maritimes these days, it’s expensive to feed them healthy food.”
“A lot of supermarkets do charge a lot for produce; their costs of doing business are higher than a smaller store.”
Tomavo got its start in 2017 when it opened their first location in Moncton. Today, they have opened new locations in Shediac and Bedford. Their original Bedford location was 2,500 square feet and they quickly realized that wasn’t enough space, so they moved across the parking lot to an 8,500 square foot location. Once the Halifax location opens, Tomavo will be employing about 100 people.
Harrison says they have been able to expand so quickly because they have found a business model that allows them to offer competitive prices for fruits and vegetables.
“We’ve been able to get into a position where our cost of running is relatively low, but we sell a high enough volume to get a decent price on it, and we pass along fair prices.”
Harrison uses bananas as an example of how they keep prices low. Since the fruit has long ripening stages, Tomavo can buy a lot of bananas in bulk, which lowers the cost. Through their four shipments of bananas a week, they buy the fruit in two to four different stages of ripening. Right now, they are selling Bananas for $0.65 per pound. In comparison, Atlantic Superstore’s website has bananas listed at $0.89 a pound. Selling high-quality produce at such prices has allowed Tomavo to gain a loyal customer base.
“Canadians are very supportive of local business…we’ve found that we have a loyal customer base. We’re still a bit of a secret in Halifax,” said Harrison.
One of the reasons why produce is so expensive in the Maritimes and across Canada is the large number of fruits and veggies that must be shipped in from abroad. Canada has a short growing season, and there is not enough for it to go around. Tomavo tries to bring in as much Maritime produce as possible when it is available.
“We do focus on local produce when possible,” said Harrison. “One of the challenges though… our grown season is so short. This year was even worse than normal. But all the root vegetables we always have local.”
“The demand for local products is higher than the supply.”
Opening a new business during Covid-19 has been a challenge, but ownership feels expanding in Halifax was a smart move.
“It’s been a challenge to get supplies, it’s been a challenge to get contractors,” said Harrison. “So, our projects have gone longer than forecasted. But we pushed through it, and it was worth it, for sure.”