IQALUIT - Anyone in Iqaluit longing for a double-double and a Boston cream doughnut from Tim Hortons will only have to wait until the end of November when the chain opens not one but three locations in the city.

Tim Hortons will open three locations in Iqaluit at the end of November. The sign on the stores will have their slogan "Always Fresh" in Inuktitut as well as in English. - image courtesy of Tim Hortons Inc.

"Iqaluit is our first entry point into Nunavut; we are pretty excited given it's the last major part of Canada we’re not in," said Nick Javor, senior vice-president, corporate affairs at Tim Hortons Inc.'s headquarters in Oakville, Ont. in an interview with Nunavut News/North on Oct. 19.

Partnering with the Northwest Company, which owns Northmart and the Northern stores, Tim Hortons will open either a flagship store or main kiosk complete with a bakery in Northmart.

He said there will be two other kiosks in the city – one at The Apex store and at Inuksugait Plaza.

"We won’t build a bricks and mortar store with a whole bunch of seats," he said due to the remoteness, cost of transportation and geographical challenges.

Kiosks will be staffed by a cashier who will brew coffee and refill the supply of baked goods.

Javor said the target for the opening of the stores will be the end of November with a grand opening weekend scheduled for the first week in December.

The kiosks will offer a limited menu, Javor said, but will include hot beverages such as coffees, teas, hot chocolate and baked goods such as doughnuts, muffins and cookies. He said once they gauge community response they might consider bringing in their soup and sandwiches.

The Northwest Company will be responsible for hiring staff and Javor said the manager for all three locations will go to Oakville for a special trainee program for all franchisees.

"We really want the Tim Hortons experience not to be anything less than what folks experience elsewhere," he said.

Officials from both companies visited the city this summer to seal the deal.

Both the Northwest Company and Tim Hortons are planning a grand opening weekend full of activities. In the works is an event with singer Susan Aglukark who is also the chair of the Arctic Children and Youth Foundation which focuses on improving the education of youth through enhanced homework programs. Javor said proceeds from the concert will go to the Embrace Life Council. The Northwest Company is also planning a charity event for the Canadian Diabetes Association.

Tim Hortons is also known for sponsoring minor sports including hockey in many of the communities where they have locations.

"It is a matter of understanding how hockey is organized in Iqaluit and what kind of leagues there are, Javor said of potential sponsorship in Nunavut's capital.

There will also be a special surprise during the opening weekend but Javor would not divulge any of those details.

When asked if the company is looking at opening locations in other Nunavut communities such as Rankin Inlet, Javor said Tim Hortons has to see how the community supports the Iqaluit kiosks.

"Let's walk before we run ... we've never been shy to unveil the brand where it makes sense."

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