Calgary Co-op Opens New Grocery Store, Gas Bar, Liquor Store

November 20, 2006, Calgary, Alberta - Calgary Co-operative Association Limited (Calgary Co-op) will celebrate the grand opening of its new food centre, gas bar and liquor store in Calgary's southwest community of West Springs on Wednesday, November 22, 2006. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 9:00 a.m. at the new location at 917 - 85 St. S.W., Calgary. Local dignitaries including Mayor Dave Bronconnier, Alderman Craig Burrows and Calgary Co-op CEO Ken McCullough will officiate the ceremony.

As Calgary Co-op celebrates its 50th year of operations this year, the grand opening of its 22nd food centre is taking place fifty years to the month of its first store opening on November 1, 1956. Locally owned and operated, Calgary Co-op is now one of the largest retail co-operatives in North America with over 410,000 members, 4,000 employees, assets of $288 million, and sales approaching $1 billion. In addition to its head office in Calgary, Alberta, Calgary Co-op operates 22 retail shopping centres, 25 gas bars, 14 liquor stores and 11 travel offices in Calgary, Airdrie, Okotoks, and Strathmore, Alberta.

"We are delighted to be opening a new centre to serve our loyal members and customers in the growing communities of West Springs, Cougar Ridge, Patterson, Strathcona Park, Aspen Ridge and surrounding areas," says Ken McCullough, chief executive officer of Calgary Co-op. "In today's highly competitive retail food industry, it is more important than ever to actively seek out and build new centres in emerging communities that want and can support our services, to ensure we remain a competitive force in the marketplace."

This multi-million dollar project includes a 46,000 square foot food store that offers all of the high quality products and services available at other Calgary Co-op locations, with a focus on fresh areas, such as produce, meat, and deli. Unique offerings include delicious hot and cold deli items, cheeses of the world, sushi, an in-store butcher shop, enhanced floral area and other services. The new centre also features an in-store pharmacy, Kiddies Korral, and a cozy café seating area with options for dine in or take-out meals for busy customers on the go.

The gas bar at this location includes a 1,800 square foot convenience store, and a double bay car wash. The new 4,100 square foot liquor store features a large walk-in cooler, beers from around the world, fine wines, and spirits, as well as Calgary Co-op's popular private label beer, ale, spirits and wine.

Members of the media are invited to tour the new centre from 8:00 am - 8:30 am (prior to the ribbon cutting ceremony) on Wednesday, November 22, 2006.

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For information, please contact:

Ken McCullough, Chief Executive Officer

Calgary Co-operative Association Limited
2735 - 39 Ave NE, Calgary, AB T1Y 7C7

Telephone: 403-219-6025

Kendall Pew, Communications Manager, Member and Public Relations

Calgary Co-operative Association Limited
2735 - 39 Ave NE, Calgary, AB T1Y 7C7
Telephone: 403-219-6025, ext. 6105
Cell: 403-660-7197