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Guy Quenneville
Monday, March 10, 2008
Crafty creations
Acho Dene Koe Native Crafts in Fort Simpson may be experiencing a drop in customers due to the cold winter months, but it hasn't affected the level of work for staff at the store.
With fewer customers and fewer people looking for tourist information, the staff has a chance to increase the store's supply of merchandise such as moccasins - an endeavour for which local townspeople are often recruited.
"The elders always like to sew because they like to keep busy," said Eva Hope, interim general manager of the store.
- Roxanna Thompson
Building business
Tetlit'Zheh/Fort McPherson
Business is picking up at the Fort McPherson Tent and Canvas Shop.
Verna Francis, an employee at the shop, said she usually sees more sales this time of year.
"It is year-end so people are spending their money," said Francis.
She said all of the different tents are selling well. They are especially popular with people in the NWT who like to go out on the land.
- Brodie Thomas
Ramping up activity
Lli Goline/Norman Wells
The uniquely titled Rampart Rentals, which is not a rental shop but in fact a grocery store in Norman Wells, just made an addition to its store that is proving popular with customers.
Rampart installed a deli bar featuring various sliced meats and cheeses a couple months ago.
Staff say the store is keeping quite busy.
Waiting for summer
Pangnirtung/Panniqtuuq
Qijuk Construction in Pangnirtung is waiting for the summer to arrive to start a new building project: the construction of a new home in the community of approximately 1,200.
Anticipation for the project is currently at a high level for Rhoda Evic, wife of Qijuk's owner, because the company is having a slow winter season.
"The project will employ four local people," she said.
Co-operative construction
Naujaat/Repulse Bay
The Naujat Co-op has been busy with two construction projects this winter, one of which recently wrapped up.
The Co-op built a four-plex, which it has just finished renting out.
"There's a real shortage of rental properties in the community," said Co-op manager John Kaufmann.
"The units filled up quickly."
A second construction project, the building of an operations centre for Parks Canada, began last September and is expected to be done in July.
"There are nine local people working on that project," said Kaufmann.
It's easy being green
NWT/Nunavut
The Northwest Company, owner of NorthMart and Northern stores, is touting certain "green" products in an effort to reduce its customers' energy consumption.
The company, which has stores located throughout the NWT and Nunavut, will install in-store displays advertising products such as reusable shopping bags, compact fluorescent light bulbs, front-loading washing machines, concentrated detergent and recycled paper products.
"I don't know anybody who likes changing light bulbs," Michael McMullen, executive vice president of northern retail, said in a press release.