Community Matters: T&T gives back in support of local health care

As a company with a deep presence in the Richmond community, T&T Supermarkets has led many shoppers into their stores. This time, they are leading in a different way. From September 28 to October 28, 2018, T&T Supermarkets matched in-store donations made by customers, dollar for dollar, up to $70,000, in support of new life-saving, medical imaging equipment at Richmond Hospital.

For Tina Lee, CEO of T&T Supermarkets, the generous act is a way of giving back to the community that formed a big part of her upbringing. “Richmond Hospital is in a city we care a lot about and we are certainly happy to do our part in ensuring that the funds we raise go to new medical imaging equipment that is desperately needed there,” says Lee.

For Richmond residents who can remember, T&T Supermarkets’ first store in Richmond was at President’s Plaza on No.3 and Cambie road and for Lee, that store provided her with fond memories. “I started bagging groceries there at 13 and I would always compete with my younger sister, Tiffany, to see who could bag groceries the fastest.”

T&T Supermarkets has had deep roots in Richmond for 25 years and has seen the brand blossom into 24 stores across Canada, with two more stores opening in the near future. With the recent opening of their new flagship store at Lansdowne Mall – bringing their total number of T&T stores in Richmond to three – for Lee, it makes perfect sense to celebrate the diversity and heritage here and expand in Richmond.

“We see this big need for connection and nostalgia in our customers. Our brands, products and flavours pop off the shelves, and that really helps to bring customers back to where they’re from,” says Lee. “We really take pride helping others to understand culture through food. Introducing Asian cuisine to mainstream Canadians has also been incredibly rewarding and important for the growth of our business.”

Lee says she is inspired to give back to the community that has given so much to their company. “We are hoping that this gift to Richmond Hospital will encourage other business owners in Richmond to make an impact and help drive improvements at Richmond Hospital.”