Daniel MacIsaac
Northern News Services

INUVIK (Aug 06/99) - Inuvik residents will soon have a bigger selection when they go grocery shopping, according to Abdallah Mohammed.

The Sudanese-born entrepreneur said last week that plans are afoot for a new wholesale food outlet along Mackenzie Road. He said the outlet may also offer retail services.

"It hasn't all been figured out yet," he said, "but it may offer a combination of both wholesale and retail."

A survey crew was already on the site last week. Currently it's a vacant lot lying beside the Blue Moon Bistro and next door to Mohammed's New Way grocery store and United Taxi office.

New Way's Hussein Moustafa said the building for the new outlet has already been acquired.

"It's just a question of moving it from Navy Road, renovating it and setting it on pylons," he said.

Moustafa said New Way will remain in its current location, but emphasized that details are still being worked out.

"The reason for opening this new one is space," he said. "There's another store in Aklavik and it's doing pretty good and (Mr. Mohammed) needs more space."

Mohammed said a Mackenzie street address may help provide an edge over competitors, like the Northern Store and Stanton's.

"There is a competitive market here as it is and maybe this will be a better location," he said.

Mohammed said the new outlet will be 225 square metres in size and should be ready for business within three months.

Surveyor Logan Hind from Northern Development Management said the lot base would be levelled off before the building is moved over. Also on the site Thursday was Mayor George Roach, who said the project was a positive sign for the town.

"Inuvik is booming," he said.