TSIIGEHTCHIC - Everyone has heard stories of "big box' stores coming to communities and driving the little guy out of business.

In Tsiigehtchic, where the arrival of Northern store is being planned, you might think this is the case.

Terry Remy-Sawyer has been running Num-Num's convenience store from her house for two years. Now, she wants to close up shop, to finish writing a book and focus on her crafts. - Philippe Morin/NNSL photo

But Terry Remy-Sawyer, who has been running Num-Num's convenience store out of her house for two years, said she's not worried.

In fact, she said she can't wait for the Northern to arrive, so she can finally close shop.

"I'll try to keep it until the Northern takes over, than head out on the land and focus on my crafts," she said.

Indeed, Remy-Sawyer said she just doesn't have the time to manage a store anymore.

She said she is fighting incurable cancer, and has been travelling to Edmonton on a regular basis for chemotherapy.

She also creates things like beaded slippers and porcupine-quill crafts, and is finishing a 200-odd page autobiography called "Living in two worlds," which recounts her traditional upbringing.

"I've got other things I want to do, and the store stops me from many things," she said, smiling as always on March 28.

Of course, since Tsiigehtchic has no other stores -- literally, not a single place in town to buy gas or rent movies or get canned food, or anything -- Remy-Sawyer said Num-Num's will be missed.

For example, she said people often pay $300 for cab rides to Inuvik, so they can buy groceries.

"I was always a busy person and I thought it would be a good idea to serve the people. Just the necessities, nothing fancy," Remy-Sawyer said, of the store's original goal.

But as she deals with her illness, she said it's time for Num-Num's to close.

She said she wants make dry fish on the banks of the Mackenzie River, and perhaps open a little tourist kiosk -- a place to share stories with visitors.

"I just want out of it," she said of the store.

"I have so much to do."