While it continues to look at properties that would allow it to grow its Flin Flon operation, North of 53 Consumers Co-operative has decided against expanding into Snow Lake.
“It just didn’t work out,” said Co-op general manager Tom Therien. It was not feasible financially, he said, with the cost of expanding into that market outweighing the potential returns. “There was just no way, regardless of the changes in Snow Lake.”
As well, he said, “Our focus has to be on Flin Flon now.”
Inadequate parking at the current location and a building that is no longer big enough to accommodate the business’s needs have led to a search for a potential new location.
When asked about rumours that the company is looking at specific sites, Therien said, “We’re not 100 per cent sure where we’re going or even the timeframe to get there. We’re looking to expand, but right now we don’t know.”
The company is looking at locations that are large enough to accommodate a new building and an expanded parking area. The current Co-op building has 62 parking spots. Therien wants a site that can accommodate well over 100.
“There is not a lot of property in Flin Flon that can give us what we need,” he said. In addition to adequate parking, Therien said he is also concerned about traffic flow into and out of the property, and about having enough room to get delivery trucks in and out without causing traffic problems.
“Anything we’re looking at is about two years down the road,” he added.
Therien said the Co-op has outgrown its building on Main Street. “The current building is clearly too small,” he said. “We have no room left at all.”
Although there are challenges to finding a propetry that fits the Co-op’s needs, Therien thinks something suitable is out there. “We’re pretty sure we’ll find it.
“Then we have to decide what to do with the current building,” he added. Therien said it’s likely the Co-op will continue to own the building, and that it’s possible the space will be made available to new tenants. The street level on Main Street currently houses a couple of tenants. “We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it,” Therien said.
As a co-operative, the business is publicly owned, Therien added. The decision-making process includes several steps. “If it turns out we can do it, it makes sense,” Therien said. “We’re still at a very early stage. We’re just looking.”
