NEWS RELEASE
PARK GROCERY DELI
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Guelph’s newest neighbourhood restaurant, Park Grocery Deli and Bar, has recently been recognized as a Living Wage Employer, becoming the only restaurant in the region (and among a handful in Canada) to be certified.
Rarely seen in the restaurant industry, living wages calculate the hourly income a worker needs to earn to cover their basic expenses and participate in their community -- which is a major part of the restaurant’s philosophy.
“We know that to attract the best talent, we have to invest in our team,” says Court Desautels, CEO of The Neighbourhood Group of Companies, which includes Park Grocery. “We’re providing our employees with an income to help them live more wholesome lives.”
Next Saturday, July 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the restaurant team will be celebrating this pioneering accomplishment with a Dog Days of Summer patio party in their back parking lot at 294 Woolwich St., on the corner of Woolwich Street and London Road.
Also at the event will be the Intercounty Baseball League’s Guelph Royals, who will be posing for photos and signing autographs, as well as Play With Clay with a Paw-Pup Dog Day. Visitors can bring their dog and get a clay paw print impression with a donation to the Guelph Humane Society.
Park Grocery will also be previewing their new menu items and offering samples throughout the day.
In addition to providing a living wage, Park Grocery also embraces a unique restaurant business model with equal pay for front and kitchen staff, tip-free, and their Neighbourhood Club double-loyalty program that not only rewards members when they visit, but also contributes to community and environmental initiatives (like KidsAbility, the Grand River Conservation Foundation and The SEED) who receive 5 per cent of loyalty program purchases.
There are currently 222 living wage employers in the province, with approximately 26 in Guelph. The living wage takes into account food, clothing, shelter, childcare, transportation, medical expenses, recreation and a modest vacation.
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