Brady and Mary Hopper are starting a new chapter in their lives.
The couple - from Aylmer, Ontario - are new to the Sault and are the new owners of the No Frills grocery store at 519 Korah Rd.
Brady came to the Sault in April to work with former store owners Joe and Janice Policicchio, running the store as the Policicchios transitioned into retirement.
Mary moved to the Sault in September and the Hoppers officially took ownership of the store Sept. 15, the former Joe & Janice’s No Frills becoming Brady & Mary’s No Frills.
“We were working on franchising out ourselves, thinking we would own a store in southwestern Ontario where we’re both from. But during his time here Brady fell in love with the area and the store,” Mary told SooToday.
This is the first time the Hoppers have owned a grocery store but they are not new to the business.
Mary has worked for No Frills since 2008, Brady since 2011. He went into the No Frills Franchisee Academy in 2022.
The two met when they worked at the same No Frills store in Aylmer.
“We were ‘work husband and work wife’ well before we actually got married,” Mary said.
Brady and Mary have been together for nine years and married for the last two.
The Hoppers knew that owning a business would be stressful at times but are enjoying their new adventure.
“Owning a business, especially your own franchise, is extremely busy and can be stressful but we are both incredibly thankful to have been given this opportunity and it’s very surreal seeing our names on the store. This is something we have been working towards for a decade. We inherited a wonderful and knowledgeable staff from Joe and Janice and the store has continued to run smoothly while we move into our new roles as owners. The staff is a huge reason why we chose to build a life in Sault Ste. Marie,” Mary said.
Though working under the same roof, Mary’s typical day and Brady’s typical day are not the same experience.
“We have a really good work separation and different areas of knowledge. We have our own tasks and although we both know the ins and outs of running a store, Brady deals with what we call the back end and perimeter departments. That includes ordering, displays, receiving, everything that happens behind the scenes that customers don’t see. The floor where they shop is all overseen by Brady and our department managers,” Mary said.
As Brady deals with the back end, Mary deals with the front end of customer service as well as business administration, working closely with their bookkeeper.
“I like being on cash and I run our store’s social media page. Although we oversee different things, we still work together and have a nice work-life balance,” Mary said.
Coming from Aylmer - a southwestern Ontario town with a population of approximately 7,500 people - Mary said she and Brady think of the Sault as a big city.
“It’s been an adjustment coming from such a small town. But we really like what the city has to offer and everyone has been very welcoming to us. Being so welcomed by the people of the Sault has really shown us we are in the right place to do what we love to do.”
Wanting to give back to the community that has welcomed them, Mary said she and Brady want to start doing giveaways and contests on social media, get involved in newcomers events and the Royal Canadian Legion Ladies Auxiliary. In November they will be working with the Alzheimer Society’s Sault office by selling their Forget Me Not Decals for two weeks to help support local residents living with Alzheimer’s.
“It feels right to give back to a community that has already given so much to us,” Mary said.
