First Sobeys visit complete, and the verdict is good even though we missed out on the coupons given to the first 100 customers. They've done a fantastic job inside, love the polished floors and the natural light from the windows. It has a great "loft" feel but doesn't feel like you're shopping in a discount warehouse. I like the big decorative christmas pots outside the front doors, and I assume they will plant living things in them come spring.
Everything inside is displayed very attractively, and though the aisles are quite narrow I'm happy to see they've provided suitably small shopping carts instead of those SUV-sized behemoths that cause traffic jams in most stores. Selection and prices seemed pretty competitive, and everything looked quite fresh (which is not surprising since they just opened, I guess!) The staff are still friendly and haven't had the spirit beaten out of them yet. The true test of freshness, stock, prices and service will come a few months down the road once the newness wears off.
Only downside so far: there now seem to be almost eternal traffic jams on Princess St. as large delivery trucks battle for position backing in and out of the narrow lot. With parking along both sides, several TTC buses and a parking garage entrance already competing for that small piece of road, walking around there will require a bit more awareness than it used to.