Pelican Narrows is interested in replacing its fire-ravaged main grocery outlet with a store based on the co-operative model.
Earlier this year, Federated Co-operatives Ltd launched Co-operatives First, an organization to help grow co-operative development in western Canada.
Merle Massie, communications officer for Co-operatives First, said the organization has been working with Pelican Narrows, which lost its Northern Store to fire last spring.
“They’re very interested in using a co-op model to build a new community store,” Massie told the Saskatoon StarPhoenix earlier this month.
According to the article, Co-operatives First has “hit the ground running” since its formation, “hosting community meetings, bringing people together to discuss how the co-op model can help them address needs they have in their community.”
A massive late-April blaze ravaged Pelican Narrows’ Northern Store, forcing residents to travel to Flin Flon or Prince Albert for many kitchen staples.
North West Company, which owns Northern stores, had been working with the community to open a temporary replacement store.
The fire was accidental, destroying the approximately 1,300-sq-ft store and some warehouse space. No one was injured.
CBC reported that locals were trying to burn grass around the Northern Store to rob any potential fire of fuel, but it appeared the flames went toward the building instead, setting it ablaze.
The Reminder sought comment from both North West Company and Co-operatives First, but neither one had replied as of press time.
