New full-service grocery store coming to OK Falls' ex-IGA building

When Okanagan Falls' only real grocery store shut its doors for good in September of 2019, some felt it was a blow from which the community would never recover.

Already reeling from a depressed downtown core and disappearing businesses, OK Falls now had to forge ahead without its one constant, the big IGA in the OK Corral strip mall.

Even if its prices were too high and its services lacking, as many maintained, the reverberations were severe. Every media source in the region ran with the story -- a town without a grocery store.

But today, two and a half years later, the space that housed the long-gone IGA is once again humming with activity. And in less than a couple months time, the father and son team responsible for that activity will reveal the fruits of its labour.

And it's not a new IGA.

It is, however, a full-service grocery store. A traditional, full-service grocery store that'll span all 12,000 square feet of the building and feature everything from fresh meats to fresh produce, from deli to bakery, from frozen foods to dairy. And all things in between.

Just don’t call it an IGA.

"Yep, we want to lose the stigma of the IGA," said new co-owner Mike Belich Friday morning as he and son Kyle continued a renovation process that began a month ago.

Both Belichs are quite familiar with the saga, and want to assure locals that it won't happen again.

"We have a completely different identity," said Kyle, adding that even the new store's colour palette will be distinct.

"We're working on the signage right now," he added. "We'll soon have it up on the store front."

In the end, that signage will reflect both the new ownership and the supplier -- Associated Grocers. It'll read "Belich's AG Foods Okanagan Falls."

Both dad and son are old hands at the grocery biz.

"I'm the third generation in this business," said Kyle. "We've had stores all over metro Vancouver. My grandpa started us out in Edgemont Village in North Van. We had the store there for a long time.

"But yeah, this is what I do. This courses through my veins."

Dad Mike has been at it even longer. He started as a butcher some 50 years ago and moved into store operation not long after.

"I've never wanted to be anything else," he said from his position atop a scissor lift Friday. "I never wanted to be a plumber or an electrician. I wanted to be a grocer."

One other thing. Mike and Kyle uprooted their lives and that of their families specifically to move to OK Falls for the opportunity.

"It’s a funny thing," said Kyle. "We were in the process (last year) of closing our (Super Valu) store in Burnaby, where our lease was up and the situation just didn't fit us anymore. And a sales rep asked if I’d thought of a new location and said there's a place in Okanagan Falls.

"So I said to my dad that there's an old IGA in Okanagan Falls. We looked at it online and hummed and hawed and finally I said we should go up and look at it in person. We got here and called the number on the For Lease sign, and the rest is history."

Once the Belichs have opened their store, likely sometime in May, they intend to remain an integral part of its day to day operation going forward.

Apart from the standard store management stuff, they'll each focus on their specialties.

Mike, for example, will be butchering in the meat department. "If anyone wants a T-bone steak I'll cut them a T-Bone steak," he said.

Kyle, meanwhile, who had a serious hankering to be a chef before plunging into the grocery game, says he'll "try to use a little of my cooking flair in the deli."

And so far, both are pleased with their decision to relocate and their attempt to create a little grocery magic in OK Falls.

"We think this is a great opportunity," said Kyle. "This town looks like it's about to pop and I think it definitely needs a grocery store. Everyone we've talked to has been so positive.

"And the store is in good shape. We brought a lot of equipment from our old store and have been doing a few renovations, but there's nothing too serious here."

Both were also quick to point out that Belich's AG Foods can't match Wal-Mart pricing.

"You can’t compare us to Wal-Mart because we're not," said Mike. "We're a small-town family-run grocery store that'll have fair prices. And the service will be top-notch."

They will, however, have a weekly flyer with various specials throughout the store.

"We'll have competitive prices on our groceries and meats," said Mike, "and the deals in the flyers will be very good."

Belich's AG Foods Okanagan Falls is expected to open by the end of May. A website will be up and running before that. In the meantime, to reach Mike and Kyle Belich, email them at greystonesv@gmail.com.