Foster's Food Fair IGA Historical Dates

1980-Foster's Food Fair Dorcy Drive store (Later named and commonly referred to Airport Center) first opened its doors. The original store was just less than 6,000 sq. ft., with a small space designated as a warehouse. There were approximately 25 employees. 1982 - The 14,400 sq. ft. Industrial Park Wholesale Warehouse was built. It was used to store larger quantities of non-perishables to supply the retail store and to have an emergency stockpile of food items. 1983 - The retail space of the Dorcy Drive store was increased to 20,000+ sq. ft. to better serve Foster's Food Fairs' growing customer base. This increase almost quadrupled the size of the original Dorcy Drive store (Airport Center). 1985 - Foster's Food Fair opens a second store on the West Bay Road, named "The Greenery". 1987 - The 3,750 sq. ft."The Greenery" store was so well received that in just two years "The Greenery needed to be expanded and is completed. 1988 - Fosters Food Fair acquires Cayprod Warehouse in Industrial Park as it needed further warehousing facilities. 1989 - Final expansion to "The Greenery" store takes place, bringing it to a maximum size 14,400 square feet. 1993 - Foster's Food Fair completes repeated expansion of the Dorcy Drive Store (Airport Center). 1994 - A Warehouse is added to the Dorcy Drive Store (Airport Center) building and becomes operational. 1996 - Construction begins on "The Strand" store to replace "The Greenery" store. 1997 - August 21, the 32, 500 square foot "The Strand"store opens. 1997 - October 16, "The Strand" pharmacy opens. 1999 - January 4, "Republix Plaza" store (non ceremonial) opens. 1999 - Foster' Food Fair joins the IGA Group of Grocer's and is renamed Foster's Food Fair IGA. 1999 - The Dorcy Drive store undergoes an expansion and is renamed "Airport Center". The store, warehouse and wholesale division were expanded to nearly 88,000 sq. ft. 2000 - Fosters Food Fair IGA celebrates 20 years in business. 2003 - Foster's Wholesale ceased to exist and was incorporated into Progressive Distributors Ltd.newly formed with Foster Brothers and Kirkconnell Brothers Wholesale. 2004 - September 11th- 12th Grand Cayman hit by Hurricane Ivan, category 4-5 winds. Massive destruction is caused to entire island. The "Airport Center" store roof filled with water and caved in causing destruction of store and loss of all equipment. Woody, David, Chi Chi, Tanya, John, William & 3 dogs were sheltering in the store. 'The Strand" store was flooded with sea water and sewage. Entire store had to be condemned. "Republix Plaza" store suffered flooding and loss of port-a-pack, generator and all equipment. 2004 - September 15th, Hundreds of customers line up outside "Airport Center" store to receive free food and water. Foster's Food Fair IGA receives assistance from RCIP to maintain control. Over 200 staff members show up for work that week. 2004 - September, "Airport Center" store opens in temporary location in old warehouse at the end of the Airport Center building. Space was being prepared for opening of Club store (which was scheduled for Oct, 2004). Luckily, registers and coolers were already in storage for the opening of this new store were not damaged. This equipment was used to operate on a temporary basis. 2004 - September, "Republix Plaza" store re-opens with limited facilities. The store was cleaned and flooded product dumped. 2004 - December 14th, "Airport Center" store re-opens after only 90 days completely refurbished and all new equipment was installed. 2005 - "The Strand" store and "Republix Plaza" store re-open, 6 months after destruction from Hurricane Ivan completely refurbished. 2005 - Priced Right (Club Store) opens at the Airport Center. 2005 - Fosters Food Fair IGA celebrates 25 years in business. 2006 - The "Morritt's Shopping Center" (Express) store opens in Colliers. 3500 sq ft 2006 - The "Countryside Shopping Village" store opens in Savannah. 21,600 sq ft