by Jennifer Pritchett
Northern News Services

NNSL (Dec 17/97) - Anyone travelling through Rankin Inlet now has a convenient place to purchase food and gifts.

Treasures, a gift shop that used to be located in the Sakku Drugs building, is now in the airport and is open all day Monday to Friday.

Bernadette Chislett, owner of Treasures, says the move is working out well for her and she feels the location lets her provide a better service to the public.

"It's a lot busier up here -- it's constant," said the 25-year-old entrepreneur.

The bulk of her products are essentially the same as when she was located in the centre of town, except she is also selling concessions now.

Chislett is even selling Mcdonald's burgers -- Quarterpounders, Big Macs and cheeseburgers.

"Everybody loves it. It's expensive, but when things die down I will order them once a month instead of twice a week, which is what we're doing now to keep them fresh," she said.

Both the Quarterpounders and Big Macs sell for $5.75 plus GST and the cheeseburgers sell for $4 plus GST.

She doesn't think it's the first time residents of Rankin Inlet have had the opportunity to buy the burgers, but it has been awhile.

"I think they tried it at the co-op once before," she said.

The burgers are cooked in Yellowknife and refrigerated. Then they are sent to Rankin Inlet via air cargo and refrigerated again.

Even without the burgers, Chislett predicts her store will do well in the new location, particularly with the food sales.

The only drawback, she said, is that she has less space in the airport. She did, however, say that after her Christmas products are put away after the holidays, she will have more room for souvenirs and Northern crafts.

Overall, she said, the move has been a wise choice.

"It's much better up here," she said. "I think they're (customers) are pleased about it. People seem to have a good attitude about me taking over."

She took over the lease from Mary Kasaluak at the end of October. The lease runs out at the end of March when it will be put up for proposals.