Some very familiar faces have returned to Picton’s No Frills.

Ownership of the Loblaw chain store opened by John and Leslie Woodland nearly 25 years ago has come full circle. The Woodland’s son, David Woodland, was joined by his family at a ceremonial ribbon cutting this summer, to mark his taking over the store.

“I got the final approval from head office on Canada Day so it was a pretty special Canada Day weekend,” David told the Gazette.

David and his brother, John Ross, worked for their parents at the grocery store as teenagers growing up in Picton. Both carved out careers at different ends in the food industry. John Ross works as a chef in Toronto, while David graduated from the Picton location to move on to Belleville in 2010 as a store associate.

“From the there, I engaged in the franchise candidacy program,” David explained. As an ownership candidate, David moved from store to store, and from coast to coast, to get an understanding of how the stores worked in various communities across Canada.

Over the past year, David worked for the head office as a store specialist. He supported over 50 No Frills stores between Toronto and Ottawa. While obtaining his own franchise one day was always the goal, never in his wildest dreams did he think a return to Picton, to the very store his parents opened, was in the offing.

“I was thinking it might be Peterborough. I never thought I would be able to come home,” he said.

No matter the outlet, escalating wholesale costs and the rate of inflation have stressed operations over the last five, or even ten, years. But David understands the role No Frills plays for all those County shoppers trying to stretch every dollar.

“It’s always going to be about the balance between best quality and best value for our customers and that’s one thing that hasn’t changed. We will endeavour to be the leader in the market when it comes to prices and compete on quality every day.”

While David can be seen in the meat department, overseeing displays and helping stock the coolers, his father John looks right at home in the produce section, stacking fresh fruits and vegetables.

“For me, it’s really about honouring my parents’ legacy. They brought this much needed discount store to the County and I am continuing on in their path,” said David. “Having my dad here in the store has been so awesome. I know he’s enjoyed seeing old friends and making new ones.”

As for Dave’s mother, Leslie, she now looks after her granddaughters part of the time.

“So mom’s helping out in a different but very important way and she’s enjoying that role,” he added. “It’s so nice to be home. It’s been great to come back home and support the community that supported my family for so many great years.”