Arctic Red River (Jun 26/06) - What began as an opportunity to entertain residents of Tsiigehtchic has now turned into a thriving retail operation.

Last fall, Don Horrocks and Terry Norweigian-Sawyer started renting DVD and VHS videos out of their home to people in the community.

As more videos were rented, people began asking for pop, chips and popcorn to go along with a night at the movies, said Norweigian-Sawyer.

The store became known as Num Num's and Video in reference to the snacks that the store started selling, said Norwegian-Sawyer.

Then when Trappers, the only other store in the community closed its doors, the couple decided to purchase some of the perishable goods from the closing retailer.

"It just kind of fell into our lap," she said.

Since the onset of last winter, the pair began bringing in more products, said Horrocks.

"Not everyone in the community has vehicles to get to Inuvik," he said.

There are number of people in the community, including several elders, who were being forced to pool their money in order to shop in the larger neighbouring community, added Horrocks.

With few options to get groceries in the community, the couple decided to continue to grow and dedicated two rooms in their home to carry a range of food and other supplies.

"We are now going seven days a week, serving the community," he said.

The store offers products ranging from eggs and bread to insect repellent and speciality candy.

"We buy what people want," said Horrocks.

The store continues to evolve and Norweigian-Sawyer has plans for Num Num's during the warmer months.

"I want to do something to offer to the tourists coming off the Dempster Highway," she said.

She envisions visitors to the community being able to stop by Num Num's to here stories told while getting a bit to eat before going on guided tours of the area.

Whatever the next step is, the couple said they are just happy being able "to help serve the community," that means so much to them.