Grande Prairie 2026 News - ARCHIVED
DiscoverThePeaceCountry.com features some of the news that changed Grande Prairie during the year 2025.
MORE: Grande Prairie NEWS - 2001 To Present VIEW
GRANDE PRAIRIE NEWS - 2026
Jan 2026: The Art Gallery of Grande Prairie has closed their doors until October 2026, for some repairs considered esention for operation of the building over the next 25 years. The building was built in 1929 and was a school for many students in the area, known as The Grande Prairie High School (also known as Montrose School). It is located at 10209-99 Street, Grande Prairie.
Jan 2026: As of January 1st, there has been some changes to Grande Prairie’s Radio Stations. Vista Radio now also owns Reach 96.3 and has changed its music format from Christian format to a Number One Hit Music Station also changing their name to 96.3 SUN FM. 104.7 2Day FM has changed their name to the GOAT and plays everything that rocks.
Feb 2026: The Love Boutique is closing their doors on February 21st, 2026 after 25 years in business. It is located just west of Walmart. It wasn't that long ago (last summer) that the After Hours Boutique closed their doors. That location was downtown near the 214 place, Grande Prairie.
Feb 2026: Natural Resources Canada confirmed that a 4.3 magnitude earthquake took place in Swan Hills east of Grande Prairie on February 1st at 10:41am. A number of people in Grande Prairie said they felt it and tremors were felt as far as Fort MacMurray.
Feb 2026: Wing Snob has opened in Grande Prairie a few weeks ago. They have 9 locations in Edmonton,1 in Leduc and 1 in Calgary. Now in Grande Prairie just west of London Drugs in the Michael’s Parking area, approximately 104 Avenue and 109 Street.
March 2026: GoHealth, the local health food store is closing their doors at the end of March. The owner is retiring after serving customers for many years in Grande Prairie and before that in Sexsmith. They are located just east of Costco at 9815-115 Street. The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy which was located around 120 Avenue in the Northridge area, also closed its doors a while ago. UPDATE: GoHealth has been sold and new local owners will keep it open.
March 2026: Grande Prairie DownTown Awards were handed out. Al's News received the Art Ouellette Memorial Award who celebrated their 65th anniversay in downtown, while the 2025 Downtowner of the Year Award went to the Grande Prairie Legion #54.
March 2026: The Peace Country Clasic Agri-Show took place March 12-14, 2026.Ken Connors of DiscoverThePeaceCountry.com was there to capture some of the interesting events. Watch the VIDEO Play>
March 2026: Ember Steakhouse will be opening up a restuarant in Grande Prairie in April, located at 10119-121 Avenue, west of Prairie Haven Motel. This is not a chain restaurant as they have another location in Hinton, AB. The Grande Prairie location will be operated by Jess and Sri.
March 2026: The old Harry Balfour School Building in Grande Prairie will become the new home of the Grande Prairie Technical Institute in September 2026. It will be a brand-new Grade 7-12 Public Charter School with hands-on skills-based learning and industry-connected trades programming serving 275 students. Trades include Automotive Technology, Construction, Carpentry, Welding, Metal Fabrication, Culinary Arts and Commercial Kitchen Operations. The School is located on the corner of 108 Avenue and 104 Street.
March 2026: The Captain's Boil has had a soft opening a few days ago in Grande Prairie, located near Smittys and Great Northern Casino. They have a number of locations in Ontario as well as Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver and Richmond BC. As the name suggests, it has a lot of Seafood Choices from Lobster, Crab, Shrimp, Mussels, Clams etc.
March 2026: RUSTIC OVEN BAKERY will be opening its doors on Friday March 27, 2026 at 10031-113 Avenue, Grande Prairie. They will have fresh-baked breads, focaccia, hearty chilli, sourdough pizza and even cinnamon buns.
April 2026: It was announced that the Grande Prairie's Farmers Market will be moving from their temporary location in the Prairie Mall to the Old Wild Bills/Forward location along 100 Street and next to Home Hardware. They plan to spend a year here until the downtown location that was destroyed by fire can be rebuilt.
April 2026: Winners of the Grande Prairie Dream Home are Julie and Rex Brotherwood of Beaverlodge. The 50/50 draw for over $236,000 was won by Allan Middleton of Edmonton.
March 2026: JUST BEACHY is closing their doors on Saturday March 28th. They are located downtown (9907-100 Avenue) south of Alberta Computers in Grande Prairie. Their stock included swimwear, travel and cruise-wear and men’s and women’s apparel.
April 2026: Jersey Mike's Subs just had a soft opening at 11020-100 Avenue, just south of the Walmart Parking Lot. There are 25 Jersey Mike's Subs locations in Canada and over 3,500 locations in the USA.
April 2026: Construction continues on a new building just west of the Dairy Queen along 84th Avenue on the west side of the City. It will be home to another Tim Hortons and Royal Pizza. Currently at this location is the Dairy Queen, Fas Gas, a Car Wash and Liquor store on the corner of 84th Avenue and 116 Street, Grande Prairie.
Jan 2026: The Art Gallery of Grande Prairie has closed their doors until October 2026, for some repairs considered esention for operation of the building over the next 25 years. The building was built in 1929 and was a school for many students in the area, known as The Grande Prairie High School (also known as Montrose School). It is located at 10209-99 Street, Grande Prairie.
Jan 2026: As of January 1st, there has been some changes to Grande Prairie’s Radio Stations. Vista Radio now also owns Reach 96.3 and has changed its music format from Christian format to a Number One Hit Music Station also changing their name to 96.3 SUN FM. 104.7 2Day FM has changed their name to the GOAT and plays everything that rocks.
Feb 2026: The Love Boutique is closing their doors on February 21st, 2026 after 25 years in business. It is located just west of Walmart. It wasn't that long ago (last summer) that the After Hours Boutique closed their doors. That location was downtown near the 214 place, Grande Prairie.
Feb 2026: Natural Resources Canada confirmed that a 4.3 magnitude earthquake took place in Swan Hills east of Grande Prairie on February 1st at 10:41am. A number of people in Grande Prairie said they felt it and tremors were felt as far as Fort MacMurray.
Feb 2026: Wing Snob has opened in Grande Prairie a few weeks ago. They have 9 locations in Edmonton,1 in Leduc and 1 in Calgary. Now in Grande Prairie just west of London Drugs in the Michael’s Parking area, approximately 104 Avenue and 109 Street.
March 2026: GoHealth, the local health food store is closing their doors at the end of March. The owner is retiring after serving customers for many years in Grande Prairie and before that in Sexsmith. They are located just east of Costco at 9815-115 Street. The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy which was located around 120 Avenue in the Northridge area, also closed its doors a while ago. UPDATE: GoHealth has been sold and new local owners will keep it open.
March 2026: Grande Prairie DownTown Awards were handed out. Al's News received the Art Ouellette Memorial Award who celebrated their 65th anniversay in downtown, while the 2025 Downtowner of the Year Award went to the Grande Prairie Legion #54.
March 2026: The Peace Country Clasic Agri-Show took place March 12-14, 2026.Ken Connors of DiscoverThePeaceCountry.com was there to capture some of the interesting events. Watch the VIDEO Play>
March 2026: Ember Steakhouse will be opening up a restuarant in Grande Prairie in April, located at 10119-121 Avenue, west of Prairie Haven Motel. This is not a chain restaurant as they have another location in Hinton, AB. The Grande Prairie location will be operated by Jess and Sri.
March 2026: The old Harry Balfour School Building in Grande Prairie will become the new home of the Grande Prairie Technical Institute in September 2026. It will be a brand-new Grade 7-12 Public Charter School with hands-on skills-based learning and industry-connected trades programming serving 275 students. Trades include Automotive Technology, Construction, Carpentry, Welding, Metal Fabrication, Culinary Arts and Commercial Kitchen Operations. The School is located on the corner of 108 Avenue and 104 Street.
March 2026: The Captain's Boil has had a soft opening a few days ago in Grande Prairie, located near Smittys and Great Northern Casino. They have a number of locations in Ontario as well as Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver and Richmond BC. As the name suggests, it has a lot of Seafood Choices from Lobster, Crab, Shrimp, Mussels, Clams etc.
March 2026: RUSTIC OVEN BAKERY will be opening its doors on Friday March 27, 2026 at 10031-113 Avenue, Grande Prairie. They will have fresh-baked breads, focaccia, hearty chilli, sourdough pizza and even cinnamon buns.
April 2026: It was announced that the Grande Prairie's Farmers Market will be moving from their temporary location in the Prairie Mall to the Old Wild Bills/Forward location along 100 Street and next to Home Hardware. They plan to spend a year here until the downtown location that was destroyed by fire can be rebuilt.
April 2026: Winners of the Grande Prairie Dream Home are Julie and Rex Brotherwood of Beaverlodge. The 50/50 draw for over $236,000 was won by Allan Middleton of Edmonton.
March 2026: JUST BEACHY is closing their doors on Saturday March 28th. They are located downtown (9907-100 Avenue) south of Alberta Computers in Grande Prairie. Their stock included swimwear, travel and cruise-wear and men’s and women’s apparel.
April 2026: Jersey Mike's Subs just had a soft opening at 11020-100 Avenue, just south of the Walmart Parking Lot. There are 25 Jersey Mike's Subs locations in Canada and over 3,500 locations in the USA.
April 2026: Construction continues on a new building just west of the Dairy Queen along 84th Avenue on the west side of the City. It will be home to another Tim Hortons and Royal Pizza. Currently at this location is the Dairy Queen, Fas Gas, a Car Wash and Liquor store on the corner of 84th Avenue and 116 Street, Grande Prairie.
GRANDE PRAIRIE NEWS - 2026
May 2026: Warehouse One and Bootlegger in the Grande Prairie Mall will be closing their doors after filing for creditor protection and seeking court approval to liquidate all 128 stores across Canada. The liquidation process will start after May 15th with the stores targeted to close in June. For nearly 30 years, Bootlegger has been part of the Prairie Mall while warehouse One was in the mall for the past 6 years. Locations closing will also include Fort St John and Dawson Creek.
June 2026: Danielle Smith of the UCP Government is giving out a one-time payment of $100 through the Alberta Energy Rebate instead of the fuel tax relief program that was discussed earlier. Any families with household income less than $225k will be eligible but everyone will have to apply online for it.
June 2026: A new restaurant has opened in Grande Prairie called Baton Rouge Grillhouse and Bar. It is located next to the Holiday Inn and Suites on the west side of the City. Previous to this it was home to "Frontier Eatery and Seafood" and before that "Seasons on 40". Also the Lions Den Pub along 116 Avenue has been sold and the Zahorodniuk family will no longer be involved. Another Restaurant has opened in the Stanford Inn on the west side of Grande Prairie called Swan City Roadhouse, the old Monica's Restaurant.
July 2026: Red Tomato Pies has opened in Grande Prairie along 100 Street next to Northern Heat Fireplaces at 11113-100 Street. Also Canadian Pizza Unlimited is officially open at 103-9837-116 Street, just east of Winners in Grande Prairie. Sad news that Tammy's Place/Frontier Saloon will now be permanently closed. They were located at 13920-99 Street, Grande Prairie next to the Western Budget Motel.
July 2026: The Blue Project has opened in downtown Grande Prairie at 100114-102nd Street. It is home to Grain Bin Brewing Co, Comfort and Chaos Kitchen, Harmony's way, AZ Custom Knives, A Counter Full and the Liminal Place Cafe. You can stop buy for lunch and do some shopping. Former location of Laser Tag Central.
July 2026: KMS Tools is making a move across the street in the fall to the old Peavey Mart location on the far west side of Grande Prairie, 9902-120 Street. The building is 19,000 square feet.
June 2026: Thomas Lakaszuk makes a stop at Centre 2000 Parking Lot, Grande Prairie with the Forever Canada Unity Bus.
July 2026: DiscoverThePeaceCountry.com captured the video of the entire Canada Day Parade in Grande Prairie July 1st, 2026.
August 2026: The Grande Prairie Air Show took place at the Grande Prairie Airport August 1st and 2nd. As part of the show were the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, CF-18 Tactical Demonstrations, Canadian Forces Skyhawks, Loyal Edmonton Regiment, Redfox Airshows - Yuichi Takagi, as well as many displays including the B-25 Bomber, P-38 Lightning, P-47 Thunderbolt and more. The two day event had an attendance that topped 8,000.
August 2026: It was three days of entertainment as the Bear Creek Folk Festival featured many music groups all weekend (Aug 14th-16th, 2026) at Muskoseepi Park, Grande Prairie. Included Tom Cochrane, Tenille Townes, The Trews, The War and Treaty. Also Alex Cuba, Amanda Panda, The Arrogant Worms, Blue Moon Marquee, Dallahan, David Francey, Djely Tapa, D.K. Harrell, Dream Dance Circus, The East Pointers, The Fitzgeralds, Fred Penner, Gwenifer Raymond, Hey! Driver, Howley, Jesse Roper, Julian Taylor, Katie Pruitt, Kell Loder, Lloyd Spiegel, Locarno, Mason Via, The McDades, The Milk Carton Kiids, Nikki "D" and the Sisters of Thunder, Secondhand Dreamcar, The Slocan Ramblers, Yves Lamert.
September 2026: McDonald’s has opened another restaurant in Grande Prairie on Friday, September 18th, 2026, in the new Resource Landing development on the far south side of the City along Resources Road (south of Plus ll Bottle Depot). McDonald’s already has a location in Clairmont and 4 other locations in Grande Prairie and this opening will add to that total. Other business that are confirmed tenants of the Resource Landing development, to be opened at a later date, are No Frills, Shoppers Drug Mart, Dollarama, Tim Hortons, Firehouse Subs, a liquor store and nail salon.
September 2026: Rising Above had their Grand Opening of their four-story residential recovery building on September 26th. Rising Above is a registered Canadian Charity in Grande Prairie, offering a Christian-based six-month residential recovery program and Inner Healing support. The live-in environment helps individuals break cycles of defeat related to addiction. The $3million new building expanded the capacity to 55 residents and allows to increase the second stage capacity to 29 beds for a total of 84 participants. Location: 11007-106 Street Grande Prairie.
September 2026: Asia 8 Buffet is now home in the former Panda Garden location at 12309-100 Street, Grande Prairie. There were a number of businesses located at this location over the years. March 2022: PANDA GARDEN opens. Closes in Aug 9th, 2026. June 2020: SOHO BUFFET CARVERY opens. Closes Feb 2022.March 2011: MAMA PANDA re-opened again after being closed. Years before that it was home for APPLE BETTY’S BUFFET and some even remember when it was called BONANZA FAMILY RESTAURANT.
May 2026: Warehouse One and Bootlegger in the Grande Prairie Mall will be closing their doors after filing for creditor protection and seeking court approval to liquidate all 128 stores across Canada. The liquidation process will start after May 15th with the stores targeted to close in June. For nearly 30 years, Bootlegger has been part of the Prairie Mall while warehouse One was in the mall for the past 6 years. Locations closing will also include Fort St John and Dawson Creek.
June 2026: Danielle Smith of the UCP Government is giving out a one-time payment of $100 through the Alberta Energy Rebate instead of the fuel tax relief program that was discussed earlier. Any families with household income less than $225k will be eligible but everyone will have to apply online for it.
June 2026: A new restaurant has opened in Grande Prairie called Baton Rouge Grillhouse and Bar. It is located next to the Holiday Inn and Suites on the west side of the City. Previous to this it was home to "Frontier Eatery and Seafood" and before that "Seasons on 40". Also the Lions Den Pub along 116 Avenue has been sold and the Zahorodniuk family will no longer be involved. Another Restaurant has opened in the Stanford Inn on the west side of Grande Prairie called Swan City Roadhouse, the old Monica's Restaurant.
July 2026: Red Tomato Pies has opened in Grande Prairie along 100 Street next to Northern Heat Fireplaces at 11113-100 Street. Also Canadian Pizza Unlimited is officially open at 103-9837-116 Street, just east of Winners in Grande Prairie. Sad news that Tammy's Place/Frontier Saloon will now be permanently closed. They were located at 13920-99 Street, Grande Prairie next to the Western Budget Motel.
July 2026: The Blue Project has opened in downtown Grande Prairie at 100114-102nd Street. It is home to Grain Bin Brewing Co, Comfort and Chaos Kitchen, Harmony's way, AZ Custom Knives, A Counter Full and the Liminal Place Cafe. You can stop buy for lunch and do some shopping. Former location of Laser Tag Central.
July 2026: KMS Tools is making a move across the street in the fall to the old Peavey Mart location on the far west side of Grande Prairie, 9902-120 Street. The building is 19,000 square feet.
June 2026: Thomas Lakaszuk makes a stop at Centre 2000 Parking Lot, Grande Prairie with the Forever Canada Unity Bus.
July 2026: DiscoverThePeaceCountry.com captured the video of the entire Canada Day Parade in Grande Prairie July 1st, 2026.
August 2026: The Grande Prairie Air Show took place at the Grande Prairie Airport August 1st and 2nd. As part of the show were the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, CF-18 Tactical Demonstrations, Canadian Forces Skyhawks, Loyal Edmonton Regiment, Redfox Airshows - Yuichi Takagi, as well as many displays including the B-25 Bomber, P-38 Lightning, P-47 Thunderbolt and more. The two day event had an attendance that topped 8,000.
August 2026: It was three days of entertainment as the Bear Creek Folk Festival featured many music groups all weekend (Aug 14th-16th, 2026) at Muskoseepi Park, Grande Prairie. Included Tom Cochrane, Tenille Townes, The Trews, The War and Treaty. Also Alex Cuba, Amanda Panda, The Arrogant Worms, Blue Moon Marquee, Dallahan, David Francey, Djely Tapa, D.K. Harrell, Dream Dance Circus, The East Pointers, The Fitzgeralds, Fred Penner, Gwenifer Raymond, Hey! Driver, Howley, Jesse Roper, Julian Taylor, Katie Pruitt, Kell Loder, Lloyd Spiegel, Locarno, Mason Via, The McDades, The Milk Carton Kiids, Nikki "D" and the Sisters of Thunder, Secondhand Dreamcar, The Slocan Ramblers, Yves Lamert.
September 2026: McDonald’s has opened another restaurant in Grande Prairie on Friday, September 18th, 2026, in the new Resource Landing development on the far south side of the City along Resources Road (south of Plus ll Bottle Depot). McDonald’s already has a location in Clairmont and 4 other locations in Grande Prairie and this opening will add to that total. Other business that are confirmed tenants of the Resource Landing development, to be opened at a later date, are No Frills, Shoppers Drug Mart, Dollarama, Tim Hortons, Firehouse Subs, a liquor store and nail salon.
September 2026: Rising Above had their Grand Opening of their four-story residential recovery building on September 26th. Rising Above is a registered Canadian Charity in Grande Prairie, offering a Christian-based six-month residential recovery program and Inner Healing support. The live-in environment helps individuals break cycles of defeat related to addiction. The $3million new building expanded the capacity to 55 residents and allows to increase the second stage capacity to 29 beds for a total of 84 participants. Location: 11007-106 Street Grande Prairie.
September 2026: Asia 8 Buffet is now home in the former Panda Garden location at 12309-100 Street, Grande Prairie. There were a number of businesses located at this location over the years. March 2022: PANDA GARDEN opens. Closes in Aug 9th, 2026. June 2020: SOHO BUFFET CARVERY opens. Closes Feb 2022.March 2011: MAMA PANDA re-opened again after being closed. Years before that it was home for APPLE BETTY’S BUFFET and some even remember when it was called BONANZA FAMILY RESTAURANT.
September 2026: Demolition of the former Grande Prairie Farmers Market Building has started which can take up to three weeks to complete at 101 Avenue and 101 Street, Grande Prairie. A fire extensively damaged the building in November 2025. Back in May 2004 The Farmers Market moved downtown into the former Hansen Ford Automotive location and changed it to resemble a Red Barn. Previous to that, over 20 years the Farmers Market made its home at Evergreen Park.
Ocobert 2026: A new local business, Signature Auto Glass will be officially operating October 1st, 2026. After 10 years, the franchise owner of Speedy Glass has taken the step to start her own independent business and is the sole owner of Signature Auto Glass located at the same address, in the former Speedy Glass building at 12301-100 Street Grande Prairie. The phone number remains the same 780-538-1014.
Ocobert 2026: A new local business, Signature Auto Glass will be officially operating October 1st, 2026. After 10 years, the franchise owner of Speedy Glass has taken the step to start her own independent business and is the sole owner of Signature Auto Glass located at the same address, in the former Speedy Glass building at 12301-100 Street Grande Prairie. The phone number remains the same 780-538-1014.