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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Many Yellowknifers might have found themselves drifting past the boarded up doors of Corner Mart this past weekend feeling pangs of sadness - it was the first weekend where residents could not quash their cravings for corn dogs, pizza or a heaping plate of Combo B after they were hustled off the dance floors of downtown bars.

Britney Heron, left, and Toni Enns give Corner Mart a sorrowful farewell in the early morning hours of Jan. 13 before the popular 50 Street convenience store and late-night diner closed its doors for the last time. - photo courtesy of Toni Enns

While Corner Mart had about a month and a half left on its lease before its City of Yellowknife landlord required it to leave, owner Jimmy Kong said he closed the establishment early, on Jan. 13, to focus on other projects.

"Jimmy, he just feels like it's time for him to move on," he said of himself and his 24-year-old business. "This really means a lot to him, Corner Mart, but unfortunately the situation is like that. Somehow, he has to move on with his life."

"He's got some new things going on, to focus on those."

The City of Yellowknife purchased the Instaloans and Corner Mart properties and adjacent parking lot for $975,000 in January 2012, previously identifying the three properties as a potential revitalization project.

The city gave Corner Mart notice at the end of November that it had 90 days left on its lease - until the end of February.

While Kong wouldn't elaborate on what future projects he is developing, he said the staff of Corner Mart would be distributed to his other businesses in the community such as the Northern Lites Motel, Discovery Inn and the Monkey Tree Gas Bar.

A sign on the big plywood pieces blocking Corner Mart's entrance states "We move to Bruno's Pizza." While Bruno's isn't Kong's business, Kong said Bruno's hours of operation have been extended which he said can serve the former Corner Mart clientele.

Jan. 12 leading into the morning hours of Jan. 13 was the last shift for Corner Mart. Mike and Toni Enns, who own the Raven Pub next door to the late-night eatery, said the closing came as a surprise to them.

"They were great neighbours. We got along really well with most of the staff there. We're definitely sad to see them go," said Mike. "It was kind of where everyone ended up, in front of there."

Toni said when she heard Corner Mart was closing by the end of the night, she made an announcement at the Raven so any hungry patrons could head next door for their final late-night fix.

"We weren't ready for this. Nobody was ready for this to be their last night," she said. "We went over afterwards and the place was just packed. People were just standing around reminiscing the old days of Corner Mart and the Leisure Cafe."

She said the night scene will be quite different now that Corner Mart is closed.

"You might not have any of those lingerers," said Toni. "It's really sad that they're going. Everything changes, even 50 Street."

Although the premises is no longer open to the public, the City of Yellowknife will still wait until the 90 days on the lease is complete before doing anything to the property. Council is expected to vote in the coming month on whether to demolish the properties on 50 Street.

Jeff Humble, director of planning and development for the city, said he was also unaware that Corner Mart was closing early.

"Technically speaking, they may need time to remove inventory and equipment and things like that, so I don't know how long that's going to take them," he said.

"We won't be taking any action. We still need direction from council on a few items before we proceed to the next step, so there's nothing really we're going to do until those 90 days have passed. There's lots of history and lots of options."

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