It's the end of an era here in Lacombe, as the couple who ran the Lacombe Sobeys for the last 16 years have officially retired as of Saturday, November 30th, 2019.

Chad and Lynda Bouchard have been prominent fixtures at that location since Chad got started in the Garden Market IGA back in 1992 as the grocery supervisor, with his wife joining him as the deli manager in 1994, where they both worked for the next decade before finally purchasing the store in 2003.

Lynda says the biggest change she has seen during her time there is customers are more knowledgeable about the healthy options they want.

“I think within the business, customers are much more informed. Customers know what they want and they know what they are looking for, which is a good thing. There’s a trend now for a little bit more healthy eating and just overall health and wellbeing, and that’s a really positive trend.”

Their business continued to be a true family affair once their children Justin and Danielle joined the Sobeys team, with Danielle still currently working at the store.

Lynda says they couldn't have done it without an incredible community behind them.

“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for supporting us, thank you for supporting the community, thank you for supporting the (Lacombe) food bank, which is one of our biggest success, and thank you for shopping local.”

Both very active in the community, the Bouchard's have helped to raise more than $425,000 in total for the Lacombe Food Bank, making them one of the largest fundraising stores in their company in Western Canada.

Chad and Lynda Bouchard in front of their retirement cake on Friday, November 29th, 2019.

As for what they plan on doing now?

“We’re going to kick back, we’re going to do a little traveling, spend some more time with family. Just get out and enjoy life.”

Chad and Lynda spent their last day of work just like any other Saturday: they counted inventory before walking away from the store for good.

The new owner and manager is named Joe Tait, who has a lot of experience with the company and is excited to start his new life with his wife and young family here in our community.