New grocery/market concept L’OCA Quality Market, has launched in Sherwood Park, Alberta, just outside of Edmonton, with plans to expand the brand to other locations.
Ben Cochrane, Partner with the company, said plans are already in the works to open a second location in Edmonton hopefully by the end of the year.
He said the brand is working with a grocer in the Crestwood area of Edmonton who is retiring after 65 years in the business. L’OCA will be taking over the spot where Andy’s IGA has existed with a smaller format of 21,000 square feet.
“Stay tuned for a couple of announcements. We’re just finalizing a couple of things. Certainly, there’s one coming in another large suburb of Edmonton. Sooner than later, probably open in late 2025 or early 2026. Much more similar format to Sherwood Park, so larger scale, two restaurants, the whole thing,” said Cochrane.
Any thoughts of going beyond the Edmonton market?
“I’d love to. I think there’s opportunity. I get phone calls and texts and emails all the time from Vancouver, Winnipeg, Calgary, all kinds of people, asking when you opening here. I’m going to get my own backyard in order first, I was born and raised here in Edmonton, know the market a little better than the other ones, but we’d love to take the brand further afield and keep growing.”
The brand’s mission is to change how people experience food.
“It’s not your regular grocery store at all. Our mission kind of evolved into being do food differently. We’ve really taken that to heart. We want to bring some of the old world traditions, stuff you would see in more European style markets where the baker is baking right in front of you, things are actually made from scratch, it’s not frozen and shipped in from somewhere else and then just thrown into the oven. We actually make everything on site,” said Cochrane.
“We want to work with customers and educate them about the food that they’re consuming and where it’s from. Our butcher, we partner with a ranch just outside of Whitecourt, Alberta, about 100 miles away, and all our meat is butchered in shop right here, everything from the ground beef to the prime rib.
“We wanted to make (a grocery store) a little bit more fun, and engaging and exciting and interactive.”
The 48,000-square-foot Sherwood Park store opened May 10.
“The reception’s been great. The community has been unbelievable. The first two weeks were an absolute zoo here. We ran out of parking constantly. But it was great. It was great to see that everyone was excited to have us in the community and kind of welcome us with open arms,” said Cochrane.
“It’s been great. It’s been growing every week. We’re starting to see a lot more regulars coming and doing their weekly shops, getting to know customers, customers getting to know staff.”
It’s a full service market with a butcher shop, bakery, patisserie, coffee roasting, a full grocery assortment of the best quality products from Canada and the local environment as well as around the world, a massive deli, market style produce with many local options, and a specialty department that has cheeses from around the world.
Also, it includes two full-service restaurants (Pyro and Oro) which is an integral part of the experience. Pyro is a casual concept with a wood-fired grill, a large format restaurant. And Oro is a modern Italian restaurant.
Tofino chef Paul Moran, 2019 winner of Top Chef Canada and a former Michelin Star recipient, has been brought on board by L’OCA.
“The location is great. It’s only 15 minutes from downtown Edmonton. It’s a great community. A great family oriented community. A lot of sports get played here, a lot of teams, and things like that. We’re trying to work with a bunch of different people to activate this as another community space – kind of make grocery shopping a little more fun and exciting and involved,” added Cochrane.
“It’s a great community. There’s a lot of families here so the more we can teach people about food as they come of age, it benefits everyone for a long time.
“Customer engagement is super, super high.”
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Additional Photos from L’OCA Quality Market
Loca in Sherwood Park. Nice to look at. Products and food at restaurants tasts ok bot so damn expensive!
I love the L’oca Market.
It is convenient to the Bethel bus station and to senior living apartments. Plus it is walking distance for me.
It is a high quality market.
One day I will enjoy a meal with a glass of wine in their restaurant.
I’m excited to see it myself — my Mom lives in Sherwood Park and I will be visiting in a bit, and we’ll for sure be going to L’OCA market. She had a birthday dinner there the week before last and said it was terrific.
Hi I need job