2024 - Our Last Year at Kapamilya Filipino Grocery Store

This year, 2024 is our last year of owning ang running Kapamilya Filipino Grocery Store due to our lease expiring. My son intended not to renew it if the pandemic came to pass.

I thought at first that our lease contract would end in December but seemingly, as we received the latest copy of our rental notice, our contract ends in September instead. 

While I write this (April 2024), we were initially sending out notices that the store is being sold. We are hoping that someone who’s looking to start a Filipino store takes over because, in all honesty, I feel sorry for the regular customers we will leave behind; the Filipinos living in the neighborhood will have to go farther away to get the Filipino products that they need and to do their money remittance to the Philippines.. 

If I were younger, maybe in my 30’s and farther off from retirement, I would keep the store. I will even do everything to increase its visibility and add more products/offerings. Just like what I did with our old travel agency business.  

In truth, my wife, who is the real money-maker in the family, doesn't want to let go of the store because she feels regret that we are letting go of a valuable source of income. Which is not negligible, by the way. 

Me and my son  needed to remind her profusely and repeatedly that she would never be able to handle both her travel agency & tour business plus the store together. 

For one, the store is far from our house cum travel & tours office plus the fact that during busy hours of the store, she might neglect her other business. The cash equipment at the store also requires some learning curve that she had to hurdle while running her travel agency business at the same time. I don’t think she alone can handle both together. It will be too stressful for her. 

For me, I’m out. Time to enjoy the few remaining years. 

Fact is, since my wife and son decided to take over the store in 2019, I told them I don’t want to be involved. But after the pandemic, when things got back to normal including the travel business, I took pity on my son who would be left without help running the store. And so, I volunteered.  

Was the Filipino store not making any money that is why you’re letting it go? The answer was - far from it! 

I mentioned above that my wife not wanting to let go is a sign that we are leaving money on the table. She was right. The money made in the store was no joke. There is serious money in keeping the store. I’m not so sure but I believe the old owners were able to buy their house because of the store. 

It’s just that before 2019, I had already decided to stay outside of Canada during the winter season. And our son, who was unemployed the whole pandemic time, wants to go back to his old job which he enjoys more. 

So, clearly, money is not our motivation.

We will both be happy and sad that we are leaving the Kapamilya store behind. It was a great financial savior during our time of need - during the pandemic. But, like all things in life, everything has an ending. 

I thank the Lord for the grace. For leading us to this opportunity and for the lessons learned in this business. It was a wonderful ride. 

Thank you also to all the wonderful people we got to know and serve. We ask for your forgiveness for leaving you behind. Our sincere thanks and apologies to all. 

Salamat mga Kapamilya!