​New owner of Sobeys Kincardine ready to take on this new opportunity

Tania (pronounced Taneea) Konigshofer is the new owner of Sobeys Kincardine, but she is certainly not new to the grocery business or to this community.

She has lived in Kincardine for the past three-and-a-half years, moving here to take on the role of assistant store manager. In December, she became store manager when owners Mark and Jacqueline Numans sold the franchise back to Sobeys.

Originally from Tillsonburg, Konigshofer has worked in grocery retail since she was 15 years old. She has numerous family members who work for Sobeys - her aunt is a front-end manager at the Tillsonburg store, her cousin works in the bakery there, and her niece works in the bakery at a store in Kitchener. Her grandfather worked in grocery retail for many years.

“I have worked for Sobeys for 17 years,” she says. “I worked at the Tillsonburg store for seven years where I was in the meat department for one-and-a-half years before being trained to be a grocery manager. Then I was the grocery manager in the North London Sobeys for six years before coming to Kincardine.”

During her time with Sobeys, she has trained and developed new grocery managers and helped with grand openings and other events. Before working for Sobeys, she worked at Zehrs in the deli/home meal replacement department and night crew stocking shelves, for eight years.



Tania Konigshofer is the new owner of Sobeys Kincardine

So, why did she decide to take on ownership of the Kincardine store?

“I like this community,” says Konigshofer, “and I like the small-town feeling because I grew up in a small town. I’ve meet a lot of great people since moving to Kincardine. The staff has been great and very supportive and everyone has made me feel welcome.

“My end goal was always to get my own store and when the opportunity came up, I jumped on it. And it made sense to take on the store where I’ve always been supported by the staff and management team. I have also met a lot of great customers.”

Konigshofer says her priority is to make sure the customers have the best shopping experience when they come to Sobeys Kincardine.



Tania Konigshofer (right), new owner of Sobeys Kincardine, with her assistant store manager Dean Jubinville

She also plans to become more involved in the community, sponsoring local sports teams, school activities and other events in the Kincardine area.

“One of my hobbies is hockey,” she says. “I played hockey for many years, competing in high-level hockey and winning many championships, and representing Ontario in in-line hockey. I had to retire due to injuries, but I want to get back into the game, helping coach and develop skills.”

One of the community events planned at Sobeys is a contest to raise money for Special Olympics. From June 12-22, customers can put their money into boxes representing each department manager at the store. The manager who receives the most donations in the box, has to take a pie in the face, June 22. The goal is to raise $6,000.

Special Olympics athletes will also be at the store June 20, from 4-6 p.m.

Konigshofer says Sobeys Kincardine will continue its support of the Kincardine Food Bank, with two campaigns per year.

As to the store, itself, she says there are plans to re-invest in upgrades, so stay tuned.

Sobeys Kincardine is also hiring for various part-time positions. If you are interested, drop off a resume at the customer service desk at the store.

The Sobeys Kincardine store is located at 814 Durham Street, east of Highway 21. It is open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days per week. For more information, call 519-395-0022 or visit www.sobeys.com/stores/sobeys-kincardine.



Tania Konigshofer (centre) is the new owner of Sobeys Kincardine; with members of her team