SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The Brick will open in the old SAAN store location, across from Wal-Mart, on March 25.

As the grand opening draws near, owner Amjum Mansoor said staff are being trained and the location is being fitted with displays.

Mansoor said he has high hopes that his store will deliver a great shopping atmosphere in the city.

Shoppers familiar with the old SAAN store "will not recognize it," according to Jamie McBride, a franchise manager for The Brick in Western Canada.

McBride said 15 people have already been hired, but the outlet is still looking to hire a few delivery truck drivers.

"We've actually been looking to bring The Brick to Yellowknife for several years. Considering the number of people from Yellowknife who shop from our Edmonton location, we figured it would be a good place to open our store," said McBride.

"People would tell us that 'we don't have enough options' in terms of where to shop for furniture and appliances," said McBride. However, he said the store isn't coming to Yellowknife because of a perceived lack of competition. "We firmly believe that competition is a good thing. Quality Furniture sells to a bit of a different market than The Brick. With Quality Furniture, Wal-Mart and The Source, there will be enough competition to keep us on our toes.

McBride said customers can look forward to the same selection and prices as shoppers in Edmonton enjoy. "Our inventory will be coming from our 5 million square feet of warehouse space in Edmonton."

He knows that operating in Yellowknife is different than down south.

"We are looking forward to the completion of the bridge, but are prepared to deal with the ice break-up and the freeze in the spring. We will make sure we have extra inventory on hand, especially vital things like appliances, during those periods," said McBride. "One thing we can never afford is an empty showroom."

Mansoor will own and operate the franchise, and said he is looking forward to when the store opens. "People have been so friendly and so nice, and I know it will be busy, but I am really looking forward to the opening."

The Brick will host a media event at the location from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 24 and will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on March 25.

An unidentified associate with Quality Furniture in Yellowknife, when asked to offer her opinion on The Brick coming to Yellowknife said, "we will take care of our customers the way we always have" and quickly hung up the phone to assist a customer.

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