GORE BAY—The new owner of the Loblaws Your Independent Grocer Store in Gore Bay said moving to Gore Bay and taking over the local business is something that he is very excited about.
“Why Gore Bay? I was looking for a place that would provide this type of opportunity, and I had talked to Paul, my business manager, and he said there would be no better place than Gore Bay for me and my family. I see nothing but opportunities and being able to contribute in many ways to the community,” said Unni Ramachandran.
“When the store banner changes people will see more options and choices (in food items) but keeping the same philosophy; for me it’s about more than just presenting a nice store, but also good products, good food and prices,” said Mr. Ramachandran. “And I always want customers to provide me feedback, good or bad, we want to have a store that people want to come into and shop. My office is going to always be open to everyone. We want feedback. It is how we will grow.”
“I am passionate about the community and finding ways I can help the community. I am more than willing to help where I can,” said Mr. Ramachandran.
Mr. Ramachandran and his wife Sree Lakshmi and their two-year old son moved to Gore Bay in October.
“I will officially become the owner of the store as of November 30,” said Mr. Ramachandran, the Loblaws Your Independent Grocer. “I came to Canada as a student in 2017 and worked at a Real Canadian Superstore, working in the bakery department after working as a store clerk at Bulk Barn in Cranbrook, British Columbia.”
In 2019 after college (business) studies he moved to Fernie, BC to work as an overnight operations manager at Eldho’s YIG in Fernie.
“Working at Eldho’s was a turning point for me,” said Mr. Ramachandran. “Eldho Thankachan motivated me; he brought out my passion for this type of business. I worked with Eldho for two years, as a store manager and in 2024 part of the Franchisee Development Program with Loblaws.”
“I moved to Canada on November 22, 2017,” said Mr. Ramachandran. “My family and I are here for the long run; we want to live and work in Gore Bay for a long time. Gore Bay and Manitoulin Island is beautiful. I had only seen the town in pictures prior to moving here. We arrived here on October 9 at the end of the fall season. It is a beautiful place, and we are really excited to see what the summer is like in Gore Bay.”
“We made the decision to move here, trusted the place and my senior manager with Loblaws,” continued Mr. Ramachandran. “I came from the countryside, so I can relate to most things here. So far we have received a lot of good feedback, and some bad, and there are things we still have to work on in the store. My focus is giving back to the community, and we want to grow with the community.”