I just got back from a grocery run at Thrifty's, and it's clear that COVID-19 has transformed…read moresomething so simple and routine into a new experience altogether. I highly commend Thrifty's (and its conglomerate, Empire Co. Ltd.) for its swift response in promoting health and safety in its store. Some noticeable changes to enforce social distancing: - Reserved shopping time at 7am-8am for seniors and immunocompromised customers - Marked lines to indicate where 6 ft is for customers lining up outside the store and at the cashier area - Limited number of customers allowed in the store, as monitored by a staff member at the door (one entrance/exit only) - Sanitized shopping carts given directly to the customer outside of the door - One-way aisles, as marked by arrows on the floor - Plexiglas cashier shields, gloves, and sanitizing spray bottles to protect cashiers For more popular items like eggs and produce, Thrifty's has also placed signs limiting customers to the quantity that can be purchased. I was actually very impressed with how well-stocked the shelves were. With emotions running high as uncertainty sinks in, this is undeniably a trying time now for many people. However, it's important that we appreciate those in the service industry who continue to go to work to ensure that our lives can function as normally as possible in the circumstances. On that note: to the two staff members monitoring the door and providing shopping carts, thank you again for your warm smiles and friendly conversation despite the long hours worked. I wish I had gotten both of your names, but in any case, I see you and I appreciate you.

Thriftys Fairfield Florist- I went into the Fairfield…read moreThriftys Florist to discuss a $3,000- wedding order. The Manager, Petra, told the Service Agent at the front desk that she was too busy to speak to me. And that she was leaving in 5 minutes. She told the Service Agent to tell me to "come back tomorrow." She wouldn't come out of her Office nor take a moment to say hello. I then said to the Service Rep that I would prefer to make an appointment, rather thsn just drop in. Petra told the Service Rep that she would be available at 3pm tge next day to call me. I provided my name and telephone number to the Rep and confirmed that Patra was to call me at 3pm today. Guess what happened? 3pm and NO CALL ftom Petra. 3:15pm and still no call. This Floral Manager was rude, disinterested and wasted my time. I'm letting you kbow so that she doesn't waste your time! Try another Florist or another Thrifty's location.

Decent place but always crazy busy, including the parking lot, when I stop by in the afternoons or…read moreevenings. As someone that uses a cane, I do worry about this. As many drivers are distracted trying to see signs, navigating their way to coffee fix and with this oddly laid out but decent sized parking lot it makes it a bit of a take a risk to shop vibe. As I do find the layout is an accident waiting to happen, I try to assess the busy level by driving by to do other things before going here. So far this is a good strategy for my mobility. The grocery itself is conviently located off the main highway and for Duncan, it is halfway along the drive itself. So nice to have a grocery in that area as you can easily add it along your stops. Food is always well stocked and place is well kept up. I always enjoy seeing their seasonal dispalys (turn right and near the floral area is usually where you'll notice the creation). Great selection of items like at any Thrifty's place but I do have to say for price point, I don't feel like it is a cheaper option (like the name might suggest to some). Staff is always friendly and quick to help if you have a question but you don't see a lot on the floor. So there was a few times I would buy vitamins and supplements if I had help locating them but there was no one to be found. That definitely could be an improvement being that they make an effort to stock so much for that section. I really do like their take away items for single people and always find something new to try when I'm shopping. Sometimes even as a gift for a friend. Overall a decent place to shop. Just be mindful of that parking lot situation.

Unlike most other grocery stores in the area Thrifty appears to do their best at stocking only USA…read moreproduce. I'm surprised they are not handing out MAGA hats at the entrance. Then there is the deceptive labeling "USA or Mexico" . Not a single item was from Mexico,all of it from USA.

Absolute love Country Grocer! Always so friendly and always have what I need!…read moreI love that they have specialty foods too, and ready made lunches.

Disappointed again I ended up with outdated produce. Last time it was outdated cheese. Time before…read morethat it was deli salad. Get it together country grocer. I don't have this problem with Thrifty foods.

As a disabled person, I was willing to pay the outrageous prices due to a disability scooter being…read moreavailable, and super helpful staff. However, on a recent visit a male staff from Produce repeatedly reached over me and bumped into my scooter as he fawned over an ablebodied customer in line. He acted as if I were an object. No "Excuse me," nothing. When I spoke up, he mansplained how he has the right to do this and, "I'm sorry YOU feel THAT way." I told him he was physically hurting me, besides being rude. He continued to abuse me. The Human Rights Tribunal confirmed I have grounds for a disability discrimination case. An assistive device is legally part of a disabled person's body. What this employee did was assault. As well, the payment terminals have been moved so they are too high for disabled people to reach from wheelchairs. Thanks, but I can pay more reasonable prices for organics at regular grocery stores, and get treated as if I am human. As I said, I went to WF mainly for customer service. Not to have my human rights violated.

Whole Paycheck, as it used to be called, is not that bad regarding pricing, and they often have…read moredeals, so I no longer call it by that name. However in the sandwich department, they have really fallen down recently. I used to buy lunch there often but stopped when their selection became smaller and much worse. Today I bought two sandwiches, both suffered from soggy bread and insufficient ingredients. One was an egg sandwich with barely a smear of egg, whereas not that long ago the egg used to burst out of the bread. No butter, no margarine, no nothing. WTF? And to make matters worse, wilty old lettuce. This is a disaster, a sandwich disaster. Cheaping out on egg? Egg is not expensive. Why? Cheaping out on hummus? Why? Hummus is also cheap to buy and cheaper to make. The other sandwich was made with hummus or was supposed to be. It was soggy, with the smallest amount of hummus possible. There were tomato slices but when pulled out they were old and wrinkly. I'm old and wrinkly too but don't want that added to my sandwich. So Whole Foods, if you are listening, I'm not buying sandwiches from you again and if you're wondering where your customers are going, try building a better one, like you used to do. ,

Stopped in for a few groceries and tried to use their washroom. It was the most disgusting washroom…read moreI've ever seen with a feminine product on the floor, some sticky substance in the middle of the floor, which I had to wash my shoes up and feces all over the toilet. Disgusting. Won't be shopping here again.

Save-On-Foods is usually my go-to place for grocery shopping. As long ago I discovered their online…read moredelivery in Edmonton when I was on crutches and real deep winter was moving in fast - dangerous for cane users but worse on crutches. Back then the price of delivery was very minimal. With how the prices have gone up for all things, I'm not surprised about delivery fees but I do feel after a certain dollar amount it should be waived. As such, I haven't done any online delivery orders while in the Cowichan Valley but when able to log onto the platform (that's tricky on older phones), I have used the pick-up option. I also use their platform to price check and search products before going shopping. Personally, I also shop in this store. Most times when driving up and down the island, as well as when I'm spending time in Duncan. Easy to spot from both directions on the highway, however you do need to keep your attention sharp in the parking lot. As a driver and pedestrian - being there is a lot of people always coming and going from the grocery and the other businesses and restaurants. Store itself is kept up nicely and the few staff (on floor and cashiers) I had the pleasure to chat with seem knowledgable and truly kind to any customer. Disabled or not. One stock guy awhile ago even spent over 5 min looking for a specailty fruit drink (I was looking for the Karma drinks and yes it is carried here but not the one flavour I was looking for and not available individually to try the new ones to me either) and that effort was greatly appreciated by me. Especially as I wasn't able to do a lot of bending that day/didn't think to check the boxed drinks for that option I was looking for. I do find it odd that not once at this store (when I'm packing the groceries or the cashier is doing so), that no offer for carry out assistence is provided. Most times I would ask but as they already look so short on cashiers up front, I don't feel right asking for help on the slower mobility days. Always good selection of food options but price-wise, like most big groceries, you really need to know what you're shopping for before you get there. Or you could really end up leaving with two shopping bags with a total that should be for four. It's worth keeping tabs on their deals and ability to gain points. I got a turkey that was mostly paid by points this year and in past years (if I move fast enough for deals during black friday weekend), that same size of turkey is completely free. Layout wise is fairly similar to most Save-On-Foods. This is a good thing and a bad thing for those that struggle with moblity. You'll be able to find what you're looking for but if you are short on energy, walking distance is an issue or you can't be in a bigger store for a long period of time (maybe migraine sensitivity from music or light hits), this will be a big store for you. So often I go here when I'm with my friend who pushes the cart for our bigger shops or I know my energy that day is going to sustain my needs to take breaks while walking the long rows like most major stores have. I really do wish Save-On-Foods everywhere would have a few more end-cap fridge/freezer spots thoughtout the store for the many that do struggle with distances to walk and carry items (as not everyone can push an unfamilar shopping cart without hurting themselves). Parking here is not a problem. It is a giant parking lot, with some handicap spots. However, those few spots do fill up very fast. So I find it odd not more are available when you compare the number of stalls and the size of the parking lot, speed of traffic coming off the main highway and how busy this place can be (as it is right on a major intersection of Duncan just before driving into downtown and many other bigger stores and restaurants are all connected to this network of parking lot space layouts). So friends do look twice, three times if it's a foggy day, before going from your parking space over to the side of the grocery store and vice versa. Over all a decent store to stop for regular groceries and usually get home with a new item to try (be it crackers, cheese, ice cream or whatever has caught my attention and isn't too costly to try out).

This is my favorite inconvenient location as it's nowhere near where I live, but they always…read moresupport local farms and food suppliers, giving good deals on local organics! The frequent free tasting stations for products are a nice touch too :)

Thifty's isn't the cheapest supermarket, but it's not that expensive either. As with all…read moresupermarkets, they have sales from every Friday. I've always liked their fresh seafood area. It's pretty good for a supermarket. I find their produce a little bit expensive so best only to get what you really need for convenience sake. It's usually pretty easy to get to and parking is simple. Will be easier whenever they open the bridge again. Thifty's are always clean and bright and never too crowded which might not be a good thing for them, but it is for me. They still give out paper bags too.

While not a fancy store, they have a good selection of basic supplies, as well as a good deli…read moredepartment. This is our go-to grocery store in the area. They feature a good produce department as well as carrying goods from a number of local producers. In general, they are better than US stores QFC or Safeway, not quite up to the level of Seattle's Metropolitan Market.

Took 3 different trips to Thrifty foods to buy spanakopita from the deli. Apparently the kitchen in…read moreSidney is closed and the deli counters are have none. There were lots of empty shelves at the Sidney and Saanichton Thrifty stores. So disappointing and they do not carry Lean Cuts canned dog food anymore, or Ridgways Tea. This was a great store, it's so sad. Alex Campbell would be very disappointed to see what it has become.

Awesome grocery store with a wonderful London Fog tea latte mix that I bought just to test because…read moreI was missing my favorite hot beverage. It was phenomenal and I wish I had bought more. Everything else was great--service, atmosphere, friendly vibe. I'll be back when I'm in town.

If you don't like the crowds, don't go here on Super Tuesday! Super Tuesday is 10% off everything!…read moreEVERYTHING! It's great, but busy! We arrived on a Tuesday and forgot about this so we got caught up in the hustle. Best grocery store on the island. It's shopable and their cafe is great! Compared to some of the competitors this is the best. I just miss the bowling alley across the street. Don't sleep on their bakery. If you're not getting the Nanaimo bars you're just losing money! The check out clerks and very friendly...sometimes too friendly...Just the other day I was chatting with my husband and the clerk made an odd comment and in our A and B conversation, he did NOT C his way out it. It was all in good fun though, we do truly love this place, and don't forget to hit the dispensary next door! That place is magical!