Jason Unrau
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Apr 02/04) - For Frosty's clients and workers, the bar's three-month license suspension, which began last Thursday, was a bitter pill to swallow.

"It's totally unfair that Frosty's was singled out," said long-time customer John Heenan, found drinking in exile at the Nanook Lounge Friday afternoon.

"I think a lot of people are going to miss that place, I know I will."

While regulars will miss seeing friends, there are those who will miss the paychecks. Of the 10 Frosty's employees affected by the suspension, several are looking for other work.

"I'm one of the lucky ones," says Frosty's server Rita Kovacs. "I've got a job, but there's five out there who don't know what they are going to do."

Veronica Kiktorak's situation is something in between. Her housekeeping duties at the adjoining hotel included more than 10 hours per week working at the bar.

"I don't know what else I am going to do," she said of trying to find work to supplement the money she won't be earning at the bar. "I'll just have to wait and see."

"There's a lot of people who rely on Frosty's," said Kovacs. "Many homeless would come in for warmth and free coffee, now where are these guys going to go?"