Long lineup at job fairs for new Longo’s grocery store
A Longo’s store will be opening later this year in Kitchener and it’s getting a lot of interest from job seekers.
The store, currently under construction at the corner of Fischer Hallman and Huron Road, is the first Longo’s location in the city and Waterloo Region.
The Canadian grocery chain hosted three job fairs this week. The first was a virtual event on Tuesday, followed by two in-person job fairs on Wednesday and Thursday at the Doon Pioneer Park Community Centre.
Prospective employees lined up on Thursday morning for a chance at an interview.
Job seekers line up at the Doon Pioneer Park Community Centre on Aug. 29, 2024. (Krista Sharpe/CTV News)
Some said they’ve had a hard time finding employment in Waterloo Region.
“I’m just looking for a job,” Kobe Ricardo explained. “I have four mouths to feed at home, so anywhere they’ll hire me, I’m looking for. I saw this online and figured, why not give it a shot?”
“[I’ve been] looking for a job for almost eight months,” said Hardika Lad. “I just came here in January. It’s very hard to survive in Canada. And Ontario, I think.”
She was looking forward to speaking with the recruiters on Thursday.
“Face-to-face conversation is better than online conversation,” Lad explained. “I’m very confident.”
Other job seekers were looking for their first real job.
“[I’m] a young teenager trying to get responsibility and work experience,” said Megan O’Neill, adding that she’s looking for a career where she can move up in the company.
Construction underway at the site of a future Longo's grocery store in Kitchener. (Dave Pettitt/CTV News)
Brad Boin, store manager for the Kitchener location, was encouraged by the interest from job seekers.
“We are thrilled with the incredible turnout and enthusiasm for the new Longo’s Kitchener,” he said in an email to CTV News. “Between our virtual and in-person hiring events, we’ve received over 2,500 applications. We plan to welcome about 100 new team members to fill various roles throughout the store.”
Longo’s Kitchener is expected to open in November.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Law enforcement foils alleged assassination attempt of human rights activist Irwin Cotler by agents of Iran
Iranian agents allegedly plotted to assassinate Canadian human rights advocate and former Liberal justice minister Irwin Cotler, a longtime vocal critic of Iran. Details of the foiled plot were first reported by The Globe and Mail citing unnamed sources on Monday and confirmed to CTV News by Cotler's office.
Halifax police say Walmart employee's death isn't suspicious, refuse to release details
Police in Halifax say the death of a Walmart employee who was found inside an oven in the store last month is not suspicious, but they are refusing to release any additional details.
Parts of Canada will see up to 30 centimetres of snow. Here's where
Canadians are bracing for a chilly start to the week as snowfall and other wintry conditions are expected to make landfall across western and eastern provinces.
Canada Post, union to meet mediator Monday in effort to end strike
Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) are meeting with a special mediator for the first time Monday to continue talks as they enter the fourth day of a national strike.
Canada-U.S. border crossing times are changing. Here's the new schedule
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) says it will adjust the opening hours of crossing points across the country early next year.
Taylor Swift Eras Tour: Ticket scam west of Toronto costs 40 people more than $70K
Dozens of people in Halton Region are out tens of thousands of dollars after buying fake or nonexistent tickets to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour dates in Toronto, police say.
Fall storm could bring 'hurricane force' winds to B.C., forecasters say
Environment Canada is warning about an intensifying storm that is expected to bring powerful winds to Vancouver Island and the British Columbia coast this week.
Tropicana fans are ditching the brand after a bottle redesign
Tropicana customers are in revolt over an orange juice bottle redesign. Again.
9 injured, including 2 critically, after stolen vehicle collides with TTC bus in Toronto: police
Nine people were injured, including two critically, after a stolen vehicle collided with a TTC bus in North York early Monday morning, Toronto police say.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
