Stewart McLeish (left) won a shopping spree at Buy-Low Foods in their Win Big draw. He enlisted Osoyoos Coyote Judd Repole to run for him and fill his cart with the most expensive meats. Patrick Riley of Buy-Low (right) provides a running commentary over the store’s PA system. (Richard McGuire photo)
For the third year in a row, the winner of Buy-Low Foods’ Win Big shopping spree enlisted a fast Osoyoos Coyote to fill his shopping cart.
“I’m not able to run and walking doesn’t cut it,” said Stewart McLeish, this year’s winner whose name was drawn by the grocery store.
Running for McLeish was Coyote Judd Repole, a co-captain and top scorer in the hockey team’s regular season.
Repole follows previous captains Daniel Stone and Rainer Glimpel, who ran for the winners the last two years the store has run the contest.
Joining Repole were teammates Colin Bell, a fellow captain, as well as Austin Cleaver and Carter Robinson, there to cheer him on.
The strategy was the same as for previous winners, as McLeish led Repole through the meat section before the spree, sticking post-it notes next to the choice cuts he wanted.
“A lot of meats,” said McLeish, when asked what he would get. “He’s got to concentrate on the expensive stuff first.”
The 60-second time limit passed quickly as store staff and reporters followed Repole, recording his moves. There wasn’t time for secondary items.
When Repole checked the items through at the till, they rang in at $739.81 – a record and more than the $500 cap. He gave a few items back and Manager Brian Fry gave him some leeway.
McLeish was surprised to win because he’s never won anything like this before. He only submitted a few ballots, forgetting others at home when the deadline came.
McLeish was grateful for Repole’s help.
“He was awesome,” he said. “I was glad to get a hockey player because they’re used to moving fast. He was terrific.”
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
Stewart McLeish (right) enlisted the help of the Osoyoos Coyotes when he won a shopping spree at Buy-Low Foods. Judd Repole (second from right) did the running while Colin Bell, Austin Cleaver and Carter Robinson cheered him on. (Richard McGuire photo)
Judd Repole checks his haul through the till. He gathered $739.81 worth of food — a record — but gave a few items back as there was supposed to be a $500 limit. (Richard McGuire photo)
