L'OCA Quality Market Announces Closure of Both Edmonton and Sherwood Park Locations
In a significant development for the local retail landscape, L'OCA Quality Market has announced it will be closing both of its boutique grocery store locations in the Edmonton area. The company made the announcement through a social media statement, revealing that their final day of operation will be Thursday, March 12.
Difficult Decision for Local Business Model
The statement from L'OCA Quality Market expressed the challenges the company faced in maintaining its unique business approach. "We were humbled by the difficulty of executing a locally focused handcrafted business model," the company stated. "Despite our best efforts, we didn't see a sustainable path forward for the business, so we have made the difficult decision to close."
The company extended gratitude to both customers and employees, noting that affected staff members are receiving severance packages and other support resources during this transition period.
Recent Expansion and Store Features
L'OCA Quality Market had been expanding its presence in the region with two relatively new locations:
- The Sherwood Park location opened in May 2024 with a comprehensive offering including a grocery store, two restaurants, and a wine store
- The Edmonton location in the Parkview neighborhood opened in January 2025, replacing a previous IGA grocery store on 142 Street
The Edmonton store featured several specialty departments including:
- A full-service deli with artisanal offerings
- A butcher shop with premium meat selections
- A bakery producing fresh bread and pastries
- Fresh fast food options including an on-demand pizzeria
- A dedicated deli sandwich space
- A cafe serving fresh coffee and house-made gelato
While similar in many respects to the Sherwood Park location, the Edmonton store did not include the wine cellar or restaurant components present at the original location.
Clearance Sales and Future Plans
According to the company's website, remaining inventory will be marked down for clearance as part of the closure process. The company also indicated they will be working with potential future tenants for both physical locations, suggesting the spaces may see new businesses in the coming months.
The closure represents a significant change for customers who had come to appreciate the store's focus on locally sourced and handcrafted products. Both locations had established themselves as destinations for those seeking premium grocery options beyond conventional supermarket offerings.
The announcement marks the end of what was intended to be a growing local grocery chain with a distinctive approach to food retailing in the Edmonton metropolitan area.
