Iconic St. John's market Belbin’s sold to Colemans

An iconic St. John’s grocery outlet has a new owner.

Belbin’s Grocery, who have been serving the community for 75-years, has been sold to Colemans it was announced in a news release on Wednesday morning.

“Since 1943, our wonderful staff has upheld the Belbin’s pledge to offer quality products with the friendliest, hassle-free service,” Robert Belbin said in the news release.
Belbin said he is excited about the next chapter of the store’s future and said the melding of the two like-minded businesses will place the operation in good hands as he and co-owner Chris Belbin retire.

There will be no staffing changes at the store and the name and storefront on Quidi Vidi Road will remain in place as it will continue to offer the same products and customer service it has been renowned for over its history.

In addition, the Belbin’s thank the dedicated staff for their years of service and the clientele who have been loyal to them throughout the store’s history.

“We couldn’t be more excited about this opportunity,’’ Aidan Coleman, director of business development for Coleman’s said in the release.

“I have great respect and admiration for the Belbin’s brand and business model — its innovative and fiercely independent. The owners and operators are brilliant merchandisers and have worked passionately over the past 75-years to bring their vision to life. We want to protect what they’ve so successfully built,’’ he added.
Belbin’s first opened in 1943 when Robert George Belbin and his sons converted the front room of their family home into a store.
This neighbourhood store was expanded in the 1960s to include a meat cutting room that became the cornerstone of the store.
When his sons took over in the 1980s, they continued to look for new and innovative ways to serve their clientele and provide the products required of those who frequented the store and at the same time continue with the same quality and standards set forth by their father.

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