Terry Halifax
Northern News Services
Hay River (Jun 18/01) - A new wholesale food outlet will open Aug.1 in Hay River, in a building that briefly housed the ill-fated abattoir.
Doug Lamalice and Bill Naido will manage the operation that now operates out of the Ehdah Cho Store on the Hay River Dene Reserve. The two managers started the little store that grew and have partnered again to get this new project off the ground.
"At first we started with just a little 40 by 30 building," Lamalice recalled.
"We had a full line of groceries, and it just kept growing and growing and growing."
The store caters to forestry and camp contracts, but also serves customers from the reserve and many from Hay River as well.
"We get a lot of people from Hay River who just prefer to come out here to do their shopping," he said.
The former abattoir was bought from the GNWT. The plan includes expansion and renovation of the building to accommodate the food store, a safety supply franchise also owned by the band and three new businesses.
Lamalice said a new building will go up be beside the wholesale outlet and the surrounding land can handle future growth.
"We've already got three companies committed along with our cash and carry and our Safety West," he said. "We'll be creating about 40 new jobs out there."
Safety West is an Edmonton-based franchise that supplies work wear, uniforms and safety equipment. NTCL and Evergreen Forestry are customers.
Bill Naidu, a journeyman meat cutter, produce buyer and store manager for 15 years, said he has a knack for making money from the grocery business.
"I'm a very good wheeler-dealer," Naidu said. "I can buy stuff cheap and sell it cheap."
He said the new store will be open to the public and offer bulk foods, but not necessarily case lots. Sobies, the major supplier for IGA stores nation-wide will be the principle supplier to both Ehdah Cho and the cash and carry.
"We specialize in barge orders, individual orders and camp orders. You don't have to buy a whole case," Naidu said. "Instead of buying one pack of coffee for $5, you might buy three packs of coffee for $11."
The store will also supply fresh meats and produce at wholesale prices.
The pair have been promoting the wholesale business through Ehdah Cho and are braced for some heavy business throughout the North.
"We're selling all over the North," Lamalice said. "From Nahanni Butte to Fort MacPherson to Inuvik -- all the bands and camps and people are realizing we're another option."
