Yellowknife (Dec 01/04) - It cost close to $750,000 to do the job, but the NAPA Auto Parts store on Old Airport Road got up and running about one month ago.

Over that time business has been excellent, says owner Doug Moodie.

Moodie and business helper and life partner Roxanne Klassen said there was quite a lot of work that went into setting up the auto parts store.

Shelves had to be brought in, a mezzanine was built to house a couple of offices, stock had to be brought in by the truckload and in the future there are thoughts of building a second floor to house more truck parts.

"Doug has a background in heavy-duty trucks. I have a varied background, but at one time worked for an automotive company," she said.

While there were no franchise fees for setting up the NAPA Auto parts store, the up-front costs are fairly significant, said Klassen.

"There are certain guidelines. You don't have to pay a fee for operating as NAPA. The sign has to be approved, but the inventory is bought outright," she said.

Moodie had thoughts on opening the NAPA store for two years.

"I thought it was very possible. There were no heavy-duty parts suppliers in Yellowknife," he said.

Many of the retailers like Fountain Tire, Autotec and YK Lube have been thankful to see a NAPA store set up shop in Yellowknife, he said.

"They buy parts and resell them. They've seen prices come more in line with southern distributors. It's simply another place to check before going south," he said.

One of the other areas where Moodie hopes to pick up business is through the Business Incentive Policy. The government has quite the fleet of heavy-duty equipment and NAPA is hoping it will get its piece of the parts-supply pie.

Moodie said NAPA's corporate headquarters had six men flown up and stay for five nights in helping to set up the store.

NAPA is also expecting to run technical classes for mechanics in the area.

"We'll be running tech shops for brakes, chassis and everything else under the hood," said Moodie.

Moodie also owns True North Petroleum, a plane-refuelling outfit working out of the Yellowknife Airport.

But running two businesses at one time can be a bit of a trick even for a seasoned entrepreneur like Moodie.

"I have a very good manager in Claire Smith and a good man with Ted Canning at True North. They've kept things running very smoothly," said Moodie.