Philippe Morin
Northern News Services
Monday, April 16, 2007

TSIIGEHTCHIC - Tsiigehtchic's first-ever Northern store is being prepared to open April 23.

Company District Manager Scott Crockett, who is from Yellowknife, said the store would set up in the former location of the old Trapper's Store, in the same building as the town's post office.

"The Tsiigehtchic band approached us and and asked if we wanted to go in. We did some research and decided we could service the people of Tsiigehtchic," he said.

Since Tsiigehtchic has about 150 people, Crockett said the store would be smaller than other Northerns.

He said it would carry "a basic assortment of food," as well as some general merchandise like clothing.

As the store sets up for business, Crockett added Northern would be looking to hire three people in Tsiigehtchic: a store manager, a full-time employee and a part-time employee.

On March 28, town shopkeeper Terry Remy-Sawyer said she welcomed the Northern, and looked forward to closing her home-based store, Num-Num's.

"I've got other things I want to do, and the store stops me from many things," she said, adding she is working on a book and wants to pursue crafts such as beadwork.

Crockett said that while Tsiigehtchic is a small market, it should not pose too many challenges for Northern.

'We do this in 135 other communities, this is just one more store," he said.