New Irving on Lacewood Drive open for Business

Irving Oil operates more than 100 retail sites, employs 1,000 Nova Scotians

Halifax, NS - Drivers on one of the busiest streets in Atlantic Canada now have a new option for gasoline, snacks and refreshments. A new Irving location is now open at the corner of Lacewood Drive and Fairfax Drive at the entrance of the Bayers Lake Business Park and near the ramps for Highway 102.

Irving retail stores are known for their superior customer service and array of fresh baked goods, gourmet coffee, and freshly made subs and sandwiches. The Lacewood Drive location features 12 gas pumps and a well-stocked, clean and bright 3,000 square foot convenience store.

Beyond the normal excitement of a new store opening, Irving also announced today that it is launching a fresh name for its fresh store, called Bluecanoe. Lacewood Drive is the first site in Nova Scotia to open under the Bluecanoe brand, with plans for dozens more to follow in Atlantic Canada and the U.S. this year. “Our customers have told us exactly what they value in a superior convenience store experience,” says Harry Hadiaris, Director of Convenience Retail Operations for Irving , “and we have brought all these elements together in an exciting new store concept. The name Bluecanoe will signal to our current and future customers that this is a different type of retail experience.”

Irving has been piloting the Bluecanoe store concept in New England over the past several months, with extremely positive responses from customers. “Now, we’re bringing the concept to Nova Scotia and we’re excited to see the response from customers at this location,” explained Hadiaris.

“This is an important new location for our company and represents the latest innovation from Irving ,” said Mike Thompson, Manager of Convenience Retail Operations in Nova Scotia for Irving Oil. “It will meet the needs of thousands of travelers, shoppers and commuters. When people visit any Irving site, they expect friendly, efficient service and a clean store. We will continue that proud tradition of service in our Lacewood Drive location.”

Irving Oil opened its first service station in Nova Scotia in 1928. Today there are over 100 retail sites from one end of Nova Scotia to the other. Irving Oil employs more than 1,000 Nova Scotians.

About Irving

Founded in 1924, Irving Oil is the regional energy processing, transporting, and marketing company focusing on customer service and supply chain management. Irving Oil serves customers in Eastern Canada , Quebec , and New England with a range of finished energy products, including gasoline, diesel, home heating fuel, jet fuel and complementary products and services. The company's network of Mainway convenience stores throughout Eastern Canada and New England offers customers a wide variety of products and services, including grocery and snack items, bakeries, and convenience items, in addition to fuel. In 2003, Irving Oil became the first oil company to win a USEPA Clean Air Excellence award for its low sulphur gasoline.

For more information, please contact:

Jennifer Parker
Irving Oil Public Affairs
(506) 202-2992