A big step forward for Pelican Narrows came late last month. The community’s Northern Store, which had been closed for more than five years, reopened Nov. 28.
The store opened its doors without any major fanfare or grand opening, due in large part to COVID-19 restrictions, both from the province and from local leadership. Pelican Narrows is currently under lockdown due to an ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.
“While it’s typical to celebrate a grand opening with an Elder’s prayer, ribbon-cutting, speeches and presentations, everyone involved chose to defer to a safer time any activities that posed potential risk, especially to Elders,” read a statement sent to The Reminder by the North West Company, which operates the store.
“Instead, Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (PBCN) and Northern are jointly presenting every household in the community with a holiday food hamper to celebrate this milestone event.”
Pelican Narrows had been without a general or grocery store since 2015, when the previous Northern Store burned down. The store will include fresh produce, groceries, household supplies, a Tim Hortons, a gas bar and pharmacy, even a financial services kiosk. The new store will prevent residents from having to make a 250-kilometre round trip mid-pandemic to and from Flin Flon from vital supplies or a 150-kilometre round trip north to Sandy Bay, which has had its own northern store since 2017.
“[We] are pleased with the working relationship between The North West Company and PBCN. This business will bring many much-needed necessities into our community, which are essential to our membership,” said PBCN vice-chief Weldon McCallum.
“It was a long five years without a grocery outlet and again we are happy to continue working together for the betterment of our community. We are also aware of how excited and happy our community is to welcome the new Tim Hortons and medical pharmacy outlets, which are the first of their kind in our PBCN reserves.”
As of opening, only 15 customers are allowed inside the store at any given time and people are asked to keep two metres of distance inside the store. From 10 a.m.-12 p.m., the store will grant priority access to local Elders.
The store and services associated with it are anticipated to provide at least 40 full-time jobs in Pelican Narrows.
