New Paris Shoppers Drug Mart puts community partnerships at heart of opening
Casandra Turnbull
Managing Editor
The opening of Paris’s first Shoppers Drug Mart is bringing more than a new pharmacy and retail store to one of the County of Brant’s fastest-growing areas, with its owners putting community partnerships, local employment and accessible health services at the centre of the new location.
The store at 10 Markle Dr. officially opened Aug. 21 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by community leaders, representatives from Six Nations of the Grand River and local charitable organizations.
Following a traditional thanksgiving address offered by Joe, representing Six Nations of the Grand River, Six Nations Elected Chief Sherri-Lyn Hill addressed those gathered and spoke about the opportunity for the new business to strengthen connections between neighbouring communities.
“It is my pleasure to be here. The growth and development in the County of Brant in the recent years shows the vibrant and expanding community,” Hill said.
She also encouraged those gathered to learn more about the history of the Haldimand Tract and the Haudenosaunee people.
“Shoppers Drug Mart is an opportunity to build local economy, create opportunities for our community members to work, shop here and help strengthen the ties between our two communities. I look forward to seeing this partnership grow and strengthen in the years ahead.”
That relationship is already being reflected in the store’s community outreach.
Ganohkwasra Family Assault Support Services at Six Nations has been selected as the location’s main charity partner. As part of the opening, the store collected items to provide dignity, comfort and practical assistance to the Indigenous-operated organization, which provides emergency shelter, counselling, residential programs, children and youth services, family supports and community education.
The store says the opening donation is intended to be the beginning of an ongoing relationship that could include future donations, awareness initiatives and other opportunities for collaboration.
Other community initiatives being supported by the new location include Pad It Forward, which collects and distributes menstrual products to people in need, and the REDress Project, which raises awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People. The store is also participating in Ask for Angela, a program that allows someone who feels unsafe or uncomfortable to discreetly ask staff for assistance.
The Grand River Conservation Foundation is another organization being supported, with funds directed through CanadaHelps toward local conservation efforts, including tree planting to restore areas affected by wildfires and environmental damage.
Hamilton-area MP Dan Muys said the emphasis on community support stood out to him during the opening.
“What struck me is the commitment that Shoppers is making to the community. That is exemplified by the projects that are helping support the Grand River Foundation, Paris Food Bank, Pad it Forward, the Red Dress Project and many more.”
For store owner Saurabh Jain, the opening represents both a personal milestone and an investment in a community experiencing significant residential and commercial growth.
“Today is about much more than opening the doors to a new store. It represents an investment in this community and the people who live here and in the future of Paris,” Jain told those gathered.
He said continued investment by Loblaw Companies Ltd. in communities across Canada is particularly important during uncertain economic times because it creates local employment opportunities.
The Paris location opened with employees working across its pharmacy, front-store and support operations, with the majority of staff coming from Paris and Brant County. The store plans to add employees as the business and community grow.
Jain also thanked the corporate, construction and store teams that worked to get the location ready.
“For me personally seeing this store opening today is the realization of a dream and one that would have never been possible without the extraordinary support of so many people,” he said.
County of Brant Mayor David Bailey welcomed the additional services to the fast-growing Rest Acres Road area and acknowledged councillors John Bell, John Peirce, Jennifer Kyle and John MacAlpine, who attended the ceremony.
“This is a good news story. We need these services,” Bailey said.
Bailey presented Jain with a certificate on behalf of the County of Brant and noted neighbouring FreshCo is also nearing its opening, adding to the services available in the growing area.
Beyond its traditional pharmacy and retail offerings, the new Shoppers Drug Mart includes a pharmacist-led Care Clinic offering walk-in and appointment-based care for minor ailments that fall within pharmacists’ scope of practice, along with routine and seasonal vaccinations based on provincial availability. Pharmacists can also provide support for diabetes management, weight management, heart health and travel vaccinations.
The location also offers medication reviews and blister-pack services and is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Store representatives said Paris was selected because of the growing need for convenient access to health services and everyday essentials, while maintaining the community connection for which the town is known.
“Paris is a caring, close-knit community with so much heart. We saw a real need for easier access to healthcare services, everyday essentials, and a place where people feel truly welcome and supported,” Care Concierge and registered practical nurse Kendahl Van De Slyke said in a written response.
“Our goal is to be more than a store and pharmacy—we want to be a trusted neighbour that makes life a little easier and healthier for everyone.” The enthusiasm for the new addition was evident immediately following the ceremony, when more than a couple hundred customers entered the store after the ribbon was cut.
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