Media

Press Releases 2025

Food Basics Opens First Store in Hawkesbury and
Celebrates 30 Years of “Always More For Less”

Grocer Creates 100 Jobs with the Opening of its 149th Store in Ontario

HAWKESBURY (ON) - August 14, 2025 - Food Basics officially opens today its newest location in the Hawkesbury community. The modern, 32,000+ square foot site, located at 1450 Tupper Street, will employ a team of 100 people and is the discount banner’s 149th store. In 2025, Food Basics is celebrating its 30th anniversary of offering "Always More for Less." This new store is the fourth to open in Ontario with three more stores scheduled to open later this year.

“We are excited to be able to bring Food Basics to Hawkesbury community, offering more ways for residents to save on quality products,” said John Manax, Vice President of Operations, Food Basics. “No matter where you live, people are always looking for ways to save. Residents who may be first‑time shoppers at Food Basics will get to know us as a discount grocer that is a reliable source for fresh, always in‑stock, healthy food at great prices.”

The new and contemporary store offers a tailored product selection to reflect the diversity of the Ottawa region/Eastern Ontario. Customers will be able to shop for high‑quality, budget‑friendly Irresistible 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 Chris Williams‑Guy, Store Manager, Food Basics. “I’m looking forward to opening our doors and welcoming everyone to our new and modern store here in Hawkesbury.”

To further strengthen its commitment to the community, Food Basics will donate $5,000 to the Hawkesbury Central Food Bank, which is affiliated with Feed Ontario - a long-time partner, notably through One More Bite, METRO’s food recovery program. The program has distributed more than 35.5 million kilograms of food, helping to fight food insecurity while keeping waste out of landfills between 2016 and 2024.

Starting August 14, the new Food Basics store will be open on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on weekends from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. To celebrate the grand opening, gift bags will be given to the first 250 customers and the store will have tasty samples available on opening day.

Canadian and proud since 1995

For 30 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 148 stores across Ontario.

-30-

About METRO Inc.

With annual sales of more than $21 billion, METRO Inc. is a food and pharmacy leader in Québec and Ontario, providing employment to more than 97,000 people. Its purpose is to Nourish the health and well-being of our communities. As a retailer, franchisor, distributor, manufacturer, and provider of eCommerce services, the company operates or services a network of 995 food stores under several banners including Metro, Metro Plus, Super C, Food Basics, Adonis and Première Moisson, and some 640 pharmacies primarily under the Jean Coutu, Brunet, Metro Pharmacy and Food Basics Pharmacy banners. For more details, visit corpo.metro.ca and follow the latest news on LinkedIn.

For further information:
METRO Media Relations
media@metro.ca