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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Call it a belated anniversary.

Weaver & Devore, the long-running staple of Old Town, celebrated 72 years of service last weekend as part of Old Town Ramble and Ride festivities.

On Saturday, the family-run business - started in 1936 by Bud Devore and Harry Weaver - held a barbecue in front of the store at 3601 Weaver Drive, where the business got started all those years ago.

Brothers Dave, Bud and Ken Weaver celebrated the 72nd anniversary of their store, Weaver & Devore Trading, last weekend. - Katie May/NNSL photo

Well, sort of.

As current co-owner (and grandson to Harry) Ken Weaver tells it, the store first took shape in the log cabin across the road, where Bullocks' Bistro sits now.

Some time in the 1960s, the store moved to its current home, where additional space was built in the 1970s for a new warehouse.

"It was a three-stage process, which a lot of people don't realize," said Ken, who owns the store with his seven siblings.

The thought of actually holding an anniversary celebration on the store's 70th birthday two years ago did strike Weaver, but he was either too busy or didn't think much of it at the time, he said.

"Don't ask me why I picked 72," he said, adding the timing of Ramble and Ride probably had a lot to do with it.

"The Old Town Ramble and Ride people got their project going and asked me if I'd like to be a participant in it," said Weaver, who was keen to take part.

Of this past weekend's celebration, Weaver said "Maybe it will be a continuing thing."

On Saturday, the street in front of store was host to as many as 30 customers during one hour - loyal patrons who braved oncoming bad weather to take in a free hamburger or hot dog.

Four hundred burgers and 10 dozen hot dogs, to be precise.

Weaver, who began helping his father, Bruce Weaver, at the store when he was 12 years old, said the occasion of the anniversary brought back a lot memories of sweeping floors, stocking shelves and unloading trucks.

"As brothers, we sit down in the evening and often reflect back on our youths," said Weaver.

Many of the fourth-generation Weaver children are pitching in today, said Weaver's wife, Esther Lafleur, who works in the clothing department that takes up the store's top floor.

"Tara has a daughter here, and now Dallas's daughter is working here as well," said Esther.

"All the children seem to be right involved quite a bit."

And the family wouldn't have it any other way, she added.

"I'm proud of the family working together as they do," she said.