Township representatives and members of the Willoughby Town Centre business community gathered Saturday to celebrate the grand opening of a new Shoppers Drug Mart location.
“This community, it’s a growing community,” said store manager Kurt Baumgartner of the Willoughby and neighbouring Walnut Grove. “We’re getting in on the ground floor, so to speak.”
The Langley Township Fire Department was on hand to show off its newest firetruck for the November 30 event, which included a Rotary Club BBQ and a ribbon-cutting ceremony with township mayor Jack Froese and fire chief Stephen Gamble.
Baumgartner said neighbouring communities are showing interest in shopping close to home, and expects a promising future of continued high-density condo growth and retail development in the area.
“Everybody here, they’re all about community. They don’t want to drive to the city, they want to have convenience right near to them,” said Baumgartner.
According to Baumgartner, who hired the majority of his staff locally, the store features a large beauty boutique that rivals locations in downtown Vancouver, and a pharmacy with a strong commitment to community care.
Willoughby Town Centre is located at 20678 Willoughby Town Centre Drive and includes an Independent Grocer, RBC and Town Centre Liquor, among other retailers.