SANIKILUAQ - Sanikiluaq residents should enjoy a wider selection of fresh and frozen produce since the new Mitiq Co-op store officially opened late last month.

Sanikiluaq residents gathered at the newly-built Mitiq Co-op for its official opening on May 30. - photo courtesy of Ann Wheddon

The new 7,000-square-foot (approximately 650 square metres) store, double the size of the old one, features wider aisles and a new exterior entrance, stated Ann Wheddon, manager of the communications department at Arctic Co-operatives Limited in Winnipeg. She added the Mitiq Co-op wanted a new store to enhance its products and services as it had outgrown its old facilities.

"They just needed a bigger store," said Wheddon. "The intent is to give the store a larger concentration on produce and frozen produce."

In the past, the store used containers across town as their warehouse facilities were less than 1,000 square feet (93 square metres), explained Wheddon. The old store, connected to the new one by a corridor, was converted into a warm, cool and cold warehouse, she added.

"A good warehouse is always a great asset to them because, obviously, it means they can keep more inventory, they can bring more in on re-supply," she said. "The cool storage space allows for the co-op to provide more of a variety of fresh produce and the new and expanded refrigeration systems results in a larger selection of frozen products."

The co-op in Sanikiluaq was incorporated in 1968, starting as a venue for local carvers to sell their art. The original retail store was built in 1989. Construction on the new facility started last August.

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