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Peavey Mart is beginning to re-establish its footprint in Alberta and Saskatchewan, as recently reopened stores draw strong customer response and additional locations are confirmed for the next phase.
Four Alberta locations reopened in early December, with Lacombe and Camrose welcoming customers on Dec. 2, followed by Westlock and Spruce Grove on Dec. 4.
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The openings mark a return for communities that had been without the farm, feed, and lifestyle retailer, and early traffic suggests pent-up demand.
Speaking from the Westlock location, store manager Darren Dunford described the reopening as deeply personal for both staff and customers.
“It’s almost like a reunion,” he said, noting that community members had been stopping him in town for weeks, eager for the doors to open again. “… people coming up to you … asking … ‘when are you opening? Because we want to be there, we want to be part of it.’”
Dunford said the store’s role goes beyond retail, serving as a casual gathering place where neighbours reconnect while picking up essentials.
From feed and animal care supplies to clothing, tools, and seasonal features such as Chick Days, the store is designed to be a destination for the whole family.
The return of familiar staff has also resonated with customers, many of whom specifically asked whether longtime employees would be back.
Dunford said the response has been both encouraging and emotional, reinforcing the store’s connection to the community.
In an email statement, Meagan Parisian, leader, marketing and e-commerce with Peavey Mart confirmed that a second phase of openings will include Red Deer, Alta., as well as Assiniboia and Yorkton, Sask in 2026.
No further locations have been announced beyond those stores and the four already reopened.
Peavey Mart had stores in Assiniboia, Prince Albert, North Battleford, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, Kindersley, Humboldt, Regina, Yorkton, Swift Current, and Lloydminster before they closed in early 2025 when the company’s sought creditor protection.
It said at the time the decision to close all stores was made after a thorough evaluation of available options, in consultation with legal and financial advisers.
As inventory continues to arrive weekly, the company says its focus remains on restocking quickly and reliably to meet customer needs for feed and animal care products.
For Dunford, the goal is simple: “…it’s home … you find your friends … and you’re filling their needs,” he said, as Peavey Mart looks to rebuild its presence one community at a time.
— with files from CJME News
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