Inuvik (Oct 09/06) - On the nicest day of the year, when the Dempster Highway is smooth and dry, it's an hour and a half from Tsiigehtchic to the nearest grocery store.

This is why Terry Remy-Sawyeo turned her house into a convenience store - called Num-Num's - in April 2005.

With nothing more than a paper sign, a calculator and cash box, Remy-Sawyeo rents movies and sells things people need, like canned foods and dry cereal.

But twice a year, when the Dempster Highway closes for six to eight weeks, Remy-Sawyeo's store becomes much more important.

In fact, it stops being a "convenience" store and becomes essential to many in town.

"I usually take the car to Inuvik, fill it up, drive back, and then do it again a few times," Remy-Sawyeo said.

"Sometimes, there are things which run out. But we still get by."

After all, she said, stocking up is a regular part of life in Tsiigehtchic, where the only access road is closed six to eight weeks at a time, twice a year.

"It's always harder in the fall because it takes longer to arrive at a freeze, the road stays closed longer," she added.

Fort McPherson

In Fort McPherson, the Tetlit Service Co-op store also fills its shelves, anticipating eight weeks of closed highway.

Store manager Mike O'Connor said the store has already filled its shelves with heavier items like canned food, bottled water, soda, flour and sugar, which will not be available again until freezing.

"We're just stocked. We have all the food we need," said employee Anne Francis.

And while people in Inuvik, Tsiigehtchic and Fort McPherson can prepare for the highway close, they never know exactly when it will happen.

Gurdev Jagpal, regional superintendent for the NWT's department of transportation, said road supervisors never keep a fixed date, and keep the road open as long as possible.

So far this year, Jagpal said, the weather has been nice and the road is still good.

"It's a bit warmer than usual, but it might catch up with us," he said.

Despite the hassle of stocking up for eight weeks at a time O'Connor said he's still grateful.

He said he's glad his store doesn't have to rely on twice-a-year barges or road shipments, like many communities across the north.

"At least we have a road most of the year."