By Spencer Hall, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, RMG
The Valemount IGA franchise will soon revert to being a corporately owned and operated location.
The store’s current owner, Sona Mann, bought the franchise in November 2022. As of October 25th, Georgia Main Food Group will take back operations of the store.
In an emailed statement, the company said its management team will spend time in Valemount to “set goals, hire staff, and determine opportunities for improved efficiencies.”
Georgia Main Food Group spokesperson Charnelle McClure says the store franchise is not currently available for purchase. She said the company will soon host a job fair to hire new staff and invites interested residents to submit an application. She said the ten temporary foreign workers employed at the store will no longer work there as they were under a separate contract with the current owners of the store.
“We wish to thank the current owners for their time serving the community and we would also like to thank the employees for their service,” McClure said.
McClure said the store’s new managers will arrive on October 25th and have an “indefinite” contract.
The Goat reached out to some employees of the Valemount IGA, who declined to be interviewed.
