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 Nick Carter, chairperson of Arctic Co-operative in Iqaluit, stands outside the Co-op's old hotel building. The Co-op is planning to demolish the building and construct a new hotel at the site. - Neils Christensen/NNSL photo |
People in Iqaluit have always wanted another grocery store. With the population of the Nunavut capital at 6,000 and growing, the more stores the better, said Nick Carter, regional manager for Arctic Co-operatives Limited, Iqaluit.
Having two grocery stores in Iqaluit will benefit the consumer, said Carter.
"Believe it or not, it worked in Cambridge Bay. This goes way back. They started saying if you spent $50 at the store you'd get a pizza at half price, then the competition did it and the consumer wins."
The new structure will be built on the existing Inns North hotel site and will house a grocery store, hotel and warehouse.
The proposed complex will be a 42,000 sq. ft., three-storey structure with a 9,000 sq. ft. food and dry goods store located on the main floor.
The hotel will have 50 guest rooms on the main, second and third floors. The warehouse will be located in the basement.
The grocery store is expected to be open for business by Christmas 2004 and the hotel, operating under the Inns North name, is expected to be open by spring 2005.
The combined retail/hotel operation is expected to employ 22 people on a full-time basis once it's fully operational.
The hotel is expected to be much like the Chateau Nova Suites in Yellowknife, with one or two bedrooms, some of which will have kitchenettes, Carter said.
The Co-op presently owns the Iqaluit gas bar and vehicle rentals, has regional offices in the city, a 70 per cent stake in the NNSI sealift operations and is the owner of EATV, the Iqaluit Cable provider.
