Tim Hortons coming to Barrhead

It’s official. Tim Hortons is coming to Barrhead.

The store will be located inside the Fyfe’s Friendly Pharmacy.

Cheryl Callihoo, Barrhead’s director of administration, said like many people she heard the rumours, but didn’t know how much stock to put into them.

“There are always rumours, but until you receive an development permit application, you never really know,” she said, adding the town received the permit about two weeks ago.

Yvonne Dykstra, front store manager and Aisa Mayo, pharmacy manager, of Fyfe’s confirmed that a Tim Hortons franchise will be added to the services the pharmacy provides.

“Amenity Health Care bought the store and they wanted to put a Tim Hortons in here,” she said, adding she first heard about the possibility in the spring.

Although Dykstra,, as of yet, does not have any specifics on the project, she knows the addition will include coffee and assorted pastries.

“There will some tables and chairs for people, but it won’t be like what the separate Tim Hortons are like,” Mayo added.

When asked if Fyfe’s hours would change to accommodate Tim Hortons, the duo said they don’t know yet.

Barrhead will not be the only Tim Hortons location for Amenity Health Care, which has 24 locations, primarily in rural communities in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. In January, the company opened a Tim Hortons at their Gimli, Man. location with plans to open two more in Gladstone, Man., and Kipling, Sask.

Mayo said the addition of the kiosk in Fyfe’s is part of an overall renovation plan.

“I know there are rumours that we are going to close down and our pharmacy is going to move to Rita’s (Rita’s Apothecary and Home Healthcare), because we are owned by the same company, but that is not true,” she said, noting although the renovations will start by adding Tim Hortons, they will eventually include the whole store. “That’s why some customers have been noticing we are bringing in less of certain items, because we are ordering just what we need to prepare for the renovations.”

Town of Barrhead Mayor Gerry St. Pierre said Tim Hortons will be a great addition for not only for Fyfe’s, but the entire town.

“It is something our residents have been wanting for some time now and it is another reason for people to come to our wonderful community,” he said.