A Japanese restaurant has been added to the list of businesses set to go in by the new Thrifty Foods complex at the corner of Lerwick and Ryan roads in Courtenay.
Thrifty Foods' manager of communications Erin Kelly confirmed a restaurant called Domo Japan is among the tenants in the first phase of the Crown Isle Shopping Centre development.
"I did hear back from the people who are leasing and they can definitely confirm that it's locally owned and operated," she said of the restaurant, though she could not say anything more about the business owners.
Island-owned and operated Cascadia Liquor, a Starbucks with drive-thru, a bank with drive-thru, an insurance dealer, a TD wealth management office and a medical clinic are also included in the first phase, which is expected to wrap up in October or November, according to Kelly.
Two more phases are planned afterward, but their construction has not started yet.
Kelly noted the development is expected to house more than 20 specialty stores and restaurants when complete.
Thrifty Foods is expected to open this fall, and the 40,000 square-foot store is the anchor tenant of the development. The new location will be the 29th Thrifty Foods, with 28 locations on the Island, the Lower Mainland and on Salt Spring Island.