Forty-three years ago, Ken Schley, John Briuolo and Noel Hayward founded what would become Quality Foods in Qualicum Beach. Several years later, a partnership with Bruce Robertson brought the company to Parksville. Fast-forward four decades and the full-service grocer – "QF" to team members and customers alike – operates 14 stores from Victoria to Campbell River.
Regardless of the community or the decade, the company has been driven by the same philosophy: customers first.
"We're your neighbourhood grocery store and that's at the heart of everything we do – we're very customer led, which means we do what the customers want us to do," says Justin Schley, Vice President, Quality Foods and son of founder Ken Schley.
"It's why we still have meat cutters and bakeries in store, for example. It's why we have such a wide array of deli items, along with the coffee shops, restaurants and even lounges in our Parksville, Harewood and Royal Bay stores – it's what the customers want.”
In many of the Island's smaller communities, Quality Foods was among the first – sometimes the first – to offer full grocery services, along with a commitment to giving back that resonated with locals. The stores became a destination and gathering place, somewhere to meet friends over coffee, enjoy lunch or hold a fundraiser, as well as to pick up your groceries.
"It was the community that allowed the company to grow," Schley says. "We invested our support into local stores and community events, and that remains true today.
"I'm proud to continue that in everything we do today as part of the Jim Pattison Group – they have the same community values as we do."
As part of the B.C.-based Pattison family, QF remains focused on the Island, Schley notes. "We still have that small grocer mindset. If a customer wants a product in store, or has a community event they'd like us to join, they speak to the store manager, who can then speak directly to me here in Parksville."
And whether it's rolling up their sleeves as volunteers or sharing vital financial support for local events, QF remains front and centre for many Island events, including the annual Quality of Foods Festival of Lights, which lights up the summer skies in Campbell River, Comox Valley, Powell River, Qualicum and Parksville.
And in the mid-Island region that started it all, Quality Foods is a key partner for Parksville Beachfest, hosting the Quality Foods Sand Sculpting Exhibition and Quality Foods Lunch with the Castles, before wrapping up the festivities with its Aug. 16 Festival of Lights spectacular and Aug. 17 Quality Foods Children’s Sandcastle competition.
"It's an event we've been involved with for a very long time and like the many other events we host and support through the year, it's just part of our way to give back to our communities," Schley reflects.
To find a QF location near you, visit qualityfoods.com