Shirley Scott
For the Gazttte
PORT ALICE—Local resident Bill Feader is now the proud owner of the Port Alice Shopping Plaza.
After living in Port Alice the past three decades, Feader said his passion, sense of community and belief in the future has led to taking on the responsibility of the plaza and all it entails.
“I see a future for Port Alice, with long term stability, and future family security,” Feader said.
“It was also an economical decision, as it is much cheaper to own rather than continue to rent,” said the owner of the popular F.P. Foods. The purchase takes in the post office building, the Scotia Bank building, the liquor store, the mini-mall and F.P. Foods Grocery store, along with 4.7 acres in surrounding lands.
And Feader said he’s not just sitting on what he has, there are future plans for the plaza.
There are plans for a 24-room motel which will benefit the town with visitors, contractors, and others, bringing in revenue to the restaurants and stores, he said.
“There is a definite need for more rooms here and it’s an extremely viable plan,” said Feader.
“I also wants to meet the needs of the community by opening the doors of empty stores to local and satellite business owners.”
Feader also has plans for the grocery store that include: power-saving lighting, updating all equipment, constructing a themed interior and a lunch kiosk with seating for two dozen.
The previous owners — Baywood Ventures out of Vancouver — gave Feader the first option to buy when he became owner/manager of F.P. Foods more than 30 years ago.
“After renting for 31 years, the property came up for sale and I made an offer that was accepted in January,” Feader said.
“I would like to help make this community into a viable family oriented place to live and grow,” he said.
“I firmly believe in it’s future success and will do anything I can to help this happen.”