Tuktoyaktuk (May 16/05) - Tuk tummies are sure to be tickled as a wealth of new foodstuffs enter the community, bringing some competition to the grocery business.

Construction on a 3,000 square foot Stanton's grocery store is underway in the coastal community, currently serviced only by a Northern store.

"The same things people drive to Inuvik for when the roads are in, now they'll get year round in Tuk," said Martin Landry.

Landry is a client satisfaction manager for the Inuvialuit Development Corporation (IDC), which initiated the project.

In the planning phase for more than a year now, the $1.5 million, single-storey building across from the Tuk Inn is expected to be completed by the end of August.

The pilings are already in the ground and the steel has been welded, said Tom Lie, community development project manager for IDC.

"Sunday we hired two local carpenters and they should be starting to put up the wood soon," Lie said.

The project is expected to supply between five and seven full-time jobs throughout the construction phase, with approximately five permanent positions once the store opens.

"This is the best project right now for the community," said Patrick Schmidt, vice president business development for IDC.

Schmidt noted that Inuvialuit beneficiaries will receive as many of the employment opportunities as possible and IDC shareholders will reap the economic returns associated with having a second store in the community. Hours of operation have not been established, but a creative design will allow for a portion of the floor space to be closed off, leaving a convenience store open later in the evening.