James Inglis
President
James is the President of BBVG and has over 20 years of retail management experience. He is a people person and looks forward to working with his team and helping his loyal customers each day. He is proud of BBVG’s large selection of local and made-in-BC products such as meat, produce, coffee, baked goods and dairy. James is known to go above and beyond for his customers by delivering groceries to them and he even helps them with chores such as garbage and snow removal. In his spare time, James loves to be outdoors with his family fishing, hunting, mountain biking or skiing. He also loves coaching hockey and baseball.
Mervin Ocampo
Store Manager
Mervin joined us in May 2022 as a butcher, where he worked for 18 months, he was then promoted to Meat Manager, and is now our Store Manager.
Mervin is originally from Manila in the Philippines where he met his wife and built his family. He migrated to Canada at the age of 35.
Mervin loves working at Village Grocer as it allows him to engage with the locals so he can learn their meat preferences. Mervin wants his customers to know that each and every meat cutter in his department is more than willing to cater to their every need even if they think it is impossible! His team will do their best to deliver such a request. For instance, they can customize orders to based on the size of the oven, or the number of guests attending a meal. He also wants his customers to know that his department carries a huge selection of fresh in-store made sausages and they are still adding new flavors as new ideas come from their playful minds!
In his spare time, Mervin, his wife and two children love to explore BC, picnicking at Blind Bay/Sorrento Community Park, in the summer and cooking and trying new foods (except garlic!).
Mervin and his team can be reached at 250-804-4972.
Kieran Toole
Data Analytics Manager
Kieran is our hard working General Analytics Manager, originally from White Rock, but he has spent most of his life in the Shuswap and considers it his home. Kieran goes above and beyond for his customers and can provide custom floral orders or order in cases of fruit for customers during canning season. His department offers seasonally grown produce locally, from apples, cherries and stone fruit grown in Oliver to corn grown in Tappen. They also make their own homemade salsa! When asked what he loves about working at BBVG, Kieran said “our friendly staff and the opportunities for growth.”. In his spare time, Kieran loves to go mountain biking, reading and relaxing around a campfire with friends.
Peggy Toole
Human Resource Generalist & Front End Operations Manager
Peggy is our Human Resource Generalist & Front End Operations Manager, originally from Vancouver. Over the past ten years at Village Grocer, Peggy has met so many amazing people that both staff and customers feel like family to her. She enjoys helping customers find everything they are looking for and seeing them leave with a smile! Peggy is focused on supporting local and providing superior customer service. In her spare time, Peggy enjoys going to the beach in the summer!
Ashley Jager
Liquor Department Manager
As the new Liquor Manager at Village Grocer, Ashley is on a mission to make sure your glass is never half empty. With a love for great drinks and even better conversations, Ashley is passionate about curating a liquor selection that reflects both the rich flavours and friendly spirit of the Shuswap community.
From locally crafted beers and small-batch spirits to wines that make dinner with friends just a little more special, Ashley is always happy to help you discover something new, or track down an old favorite. Whether you’re planning a backyard barbecue, a lakeside picnic, or just a quiet evening at home, she’s got a recommendation (or a few) up her sleeve.
A firm believer that good food and drink bring people together, Ashley is proud to support local makers, community events, and the neighbours who make Blind Bay feel like home. When not talking about tannins or toasting a new brew, you can find her exploring all the Shu has to offer with her husband and dog, paddleboarding the pristine waters of White Lake, or testing out the perfect Caesar recipe!
Stop by, say hi, and let’s raise a glass to our incredible community!
Brenda Szlabon
Perishable Manager
Brenda is originally from Langley. She loves exploring what the Shuswap has to offer and finding great spots to walk her dog. She has over 30 years of retail experience and most notably, she was the manager at our sister store in Sorrento. Brenda would like everyone to have the best shopping experience in the store and if she can help in any way, please let her know. She hopes you will always leave with a smile on your face!
Stephen Johnston
Meat Department Manager
Stephen is our Meat Department Manager, originally from Owen Sound, Ontario. Stephen loves the family atmosphere at Blind Bay Village Grocer and prides himself in taking care of special requests in the meat department for his customers. In his spare time, he loves to fish, hunt and work on his vehicles and toys.
Justin
Produce Department Manager
Justin is our Produce Manager born and raised in Medicine Hat but spent most of his life living between Alberta and the Shuswap.
He loves working at Blind Bay Village Grocer as it allows him to regularly interact and assist his local community. He also likes the five minute commute to work!
Justin would like everyone to know that the store has access to a diverse variety of microgreens grown locally, just minutes away. They are great for garnishing soups, salads and sandwiches. He also wants his customers to know that they can reach out to him or his associates if they cannot locate a product in the produce department and the store may be able to bring it in for them.
In his spare time, Justin makes time for paddleboarding, hiking and in the spring he looks forward to gardening with his grandparents. Most recently, he has taken uo bird watching and loves all the diverse species in the Shuswap.
Jodi
Front End Supervisor
Jodi is our stellar Blind Bay Front End Supervisor.
Jodi grew up all over British Columbia, including Vancouver Island. She feels that the Shuswap is one of the prettiest places she had ever been to on Earth.
Jodi loves her 15 minute commute to work as well as her team members and the family atmosphere at the store. She loves seeing and helping her customers each day. One thing she wants her customers to know is that the store has pickled flavored beer and it is good! Ask Jodi about it the next time you are in the store.
In her spare time, Jodi loves travelling around the world and experiencing different cultures as well as taking her two blue heelers in the truck adventuring through her own backyard.
She also loves swimming, boating and visiting the various community halls for events and meeting new people.
Roy
Chef
Roy is our extraordinary Chef, originally from the Philippines. He wants customers to know that there is always a new menu in the deli, samples for tasting, great presentation and it’s always fresh. Roy always has a big smile for his customers and is on a first name basis with most. He is grateful that the BBVG team is friendly and helpful and he also likes to share his knowledge with them. In his spare time, Roy loves to go boating, swimming, and creating spectacular fruit and vegetable arrangements.
Bill
Night Manager
Bill is our dedicated Night Manager, originally from Langley. Bill enjoys assisting elderly clients with carry-outs. He also enjoys the atmosphere and his short commute to BBVG. He love the sunshine, building snow castles and floating in the lake.
Robin
Office Administrator
Robin is our helpful Office Administrator and has lived in Blind Bay for 13 years. Robin loves the camaraderie at the store. She is married, has four daughters, loves to golf and enjoys the sun and lake with family and friends.
Nageshwani (Linda)
Deli Supervisor
Linda is our outstanding Deli Supervisor, originally from the Fiji Islands! She loves meeting and getting to know her customers. She has gone out of her way to make platters on the spot for them. She wants her customer to know that the deli provides catering. In her spare time she loves cooking and jet skiing.
Gene
Grocery Clerk
Gene is our loyal Grocery Clerk, originally from South Burnaby, and has been with us for many years. He wants customers to know that BBVG offers a home delivery service for our less mobile customers. Gene always goes out of his way to help our customers and has even changed their flat tires! He loves working with all the great staff at BBVG (plus the liquor sampling when he is off duty!). In his spare time, he rides his motorcycle, walks and hikes with his dog, and explores the backroads on his motorbike or 4 x 4.
Jocelyn
Bakery
Jocelyn is originally from Vancouver Island and has lived here for many years. She enjoys hunting, fishing and nature in our beautiful region. Jocelyn likes working at the Sorrento store because of all the lovely faces that come through the store daily! She loves taking customers’ orders personally to best serve their request and also recommends the store’s beautiful breads and delicious donuts that are baked daily! When Jocelyn is not at work, you will find her ATVing, hunting and camping.
JayAr
Bakery Cake Specialist
Meet JayAr Quiambao, our resident Cake Specialist.
JayAr is originally from Tarlac City in the Phillippines. He is a Restaurant Management graduate and spent more than a decade in Dubai as a pastry chef.
JayAr prides himself in giving 120% to every customer order in the bakery to achieve full customer satisfaction.
He loves working at Blind Bay Village Grocer because of the diversity and friendly atmosphere.
In his spare time, JayAr loves to walk and admire our magnificent nature and captures scenic views with photos, videos and drone shots.
Allison
Front End Cashier
Allison is one of our friendly front end cashiers at our Blind Bay store!
Allison is originally from Calgary and moved here permanently after living in the Shuswap seasonally.
Allison loves interacting with her customers with a smile and telling them about her favorite products. Her focus each day is to spread some joy!
She also wants her customers to know that she is happy to pack your groceries for you!
In her spare time, Allison loves knitting, gardening, fishing and painting barn quilts!
Stephen
Deli Cook
Stephen is our Blind Bay Deli Cook!
Stephen is from the Philippines and has been at the store for 17 months.
Stephen is passionate about cooking and basketball, but his heart truly belongs to baking – especially designing wedding cakes. His mom inspired his baking and his dad sparked his love for cooking.
Stephen feels that providing excellent customer service means showing kindness and professionalism, even on challenging days. A genuine smile can go a long way – it may seem small, but it has the power to brighten someone else’s day and leave a lasting impression.
In his spare time, Stephen enjoys spending time with his friends, whether it is sharing stories over a few beers or simply enjoying each other’s company. His best memories are shared with his sister and her fiancé when they come to visit and take spontaneous road trips!