Image: Tydel Foods / Facebook / Owners Brigida Crosbie and Tony Pitzoff posted on social media sharing the news on April 5, along with several heartfelt messages from the community.

By Alyssa Conti

TYDEL FOODS

Beloved Chilliwack meat store to close original location, cites funding challenges

Apr 5, 2025 | 9:46 AM

CHILLIWACK — A local meat store known for its low prices and community service is closing up one location by the end of April.

In a social media post Saturday morning (Apr. 5), store owner Brigida Crosbie shared that Tydel Foods will be closing the retail meat shop on Patten Avenue.

“I want to assure you that we are not going anywhere,” she wrote. “We are just minimizing all expenses to get through the economy and to be able to better serve our community. Your families, children, our seniors, and those that are struggling.”

Crosbie went live on Facebook only three days prior, explaining that the increasing price of goods and shop administration costs have all become unsustainable. In true Tydel Foods fashion, the store has chosen to prioritize community service over raising prices.

“The only way I can think that will help everybody is to lower our costs, get us into something that’s not going to cost us a tremendous amount and […] lower the price of meat or any food that we decide we’re going to bring in.”

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The meat store will focus more on delivery and pickup services, continuing to operate through walk-in coolers and freezers only four minutes from the shop on 8551 Aitken Road. Some time-sensitive products will also be moved to the Tydel Foods cheese bar in District 1881.

Crosbie tearfully answered a question during her stream, saying, “I cannot believe that this is happening […] I try and make a difference and I’m not sure if I’m making even a difference.”

“I just know I have to try, so if that means to close my shop on Patten then we’ll close the shop on Patten, and we’ll do what has to happen to have affordable food for people in our community.”

The holding space on Aitken Road will only cost the store roughly $900 a month– a noticeable change from the $10,000 monthly benchmark needed for the Patten shop’s coolers, lease and staff. The savings from downsizing would allow Crosbie to keep overhead costs low without displacing staff or scaling back services like the seniors program and a planned food emergency hotline.

“This is not about giving up. This is rebuilding with wisdom. Our mission is still alive, just in a leaner and smarter format that will allow us to serve more people.”

Crosbie ended the stream on a hopeful note.

“As stressful as they are, financial combustion is going to be the worst on families […] Never let something like that tear you apart. Never let it allow it to tear your family apart, your children apart. That is the most important thing, and everything else is going to be fine.”

Anyone looking to donate goods and produce can reach the store at 604-316-6015.