Server: Microsoft-IIS/3.0 Date: Mon, 29 Dec 1997 10:51:38 GMT Content-Type: text/html Accept-Ranges: bytes Last-Modified: Thu, 25 Sep 1997 11:37:41 GMT Content-Length: 8838
By 1989 the store had doubled in size, turned the deli lunch spot into a full-service restaurant, and the staff of 15 had grown to 65. Just managing to survive was no longer the issue. In 1990 the team began to pay serious attention to articulating the values that were important to both customers and staff. Capers' vision and values were clearly stated and a second location, in Kitsilano, was found by the end of 1991. The second store opened in November 1993 at the corner of 4th and Vine in the heart of Kitsilano. Alfalfa's Markets of Boulder, Colorado provided help for the opening of the second store both through investment and through participation on the Board of Directors. This association became even closer in July 1994 when Capers merged with Alfalfa's. Capers was able to open its third store, on Robson Street in Vancouver's West End in July 1995. Capers became a part of Wild Oats Markets in July 1996 when Alfalfa's joined Wild Oats. Caper's involvement with the community and with issues related to natural foods and health and beauty care are important to part of its history. The stores offer information and education to customers and the community about sustainable agriculture, the importance of organic products and natural health and beauty care. Capers has also taken on a variety of natural food and health product issues. Petitions on various issues can often be found at the tills or customer service desk. Everything from the Egg Marketing Board (over free range eggs) to the latest controversies about public access to traditional herbal medicines has been a part of the effort to let the customers know about the connection between the products and the issues. Capers uses signage, stories in the store flyers and in-store demos to get the information about the products, the farmers and the companies that make the products to the customer. Wild Oats Markets' commitment to customers, to staff, to the community and to the bottom line, matches Capers vision and values. Our commitment to customers is shown by our commitment to put the best product on our shelves, to provide exceptional service and to connect the customer with information which can help them make healthy choices. Our commitment to staff is shown through a wide assortment of benefits, training programs, profit sharing and share purchase plans, and the on-going effort to create an enjoyable workplace. Our commitment to the community is shown through our Giving Programme which provided over $30,000.00 worth of merchandise or funds to local community groups during 1996. Our commitment to the bottom line, which makes all of the other commitments possible, has resulted in increasing sales and regularly improved profitability. Since opening in Kitsilano late in 1993 we have experienced tremendous growth and change; it's definitely been a wild ride with lots of interesting incidents along the way. We look forward to more growth and change as we head toward the millenieum. |