New store another step in White Rock Lake wildfire recovery | 24CA News
There was a gentle stream of shoppers trying out the brand new Six Mile Convenience Store on the North Westside of Okanagan Lake, B.C., Monday morning.
Many folks have been glad to as soon as once more have a spot to choose up snacks and family staples within the neighbourhood.
“I think it is great. I think the community really needed it, especially since the fires,” mentioned buyer Kane Parker.
Shopping choices within the space have been restricted because the huge White Rock Lake wildfire burnt down the Little Kingdom retailer in 2021.
When it burnt the store, the blaze took out an necessary neighborhood hub for residents of the Okanagan Indian Band’s important reserve and the broader North Westside neighborhood.
“It was devastating. That was the go-to store,” mentioned buyer Tanaya Carlson.
“It was crazy just … how far that impact (of losing Little Kingdom) went,” mentioned Erica Clark, co-owner of the brand new Six Mile Convenience Store.
“It did bring everyone together. Everyone knew you could go there for a quick cheese bun or any bakery item. The family that ran that store, they did such a great job in bringing the community together and offering all these different things to our community.”
The Little Kingdom retailer by no means reopened.
It was the impression of that loss that impressed Clark to start out the brand new store.
“We just saw a need within our community,” she mentioned.
“I live in the area and I have young kids so oftentimes even I just need a quick jug of milk or a snack or something like that and it is definitely not convenient to run 20 to 30 minutes into Vernon. I also miss just the sense of community the store brought.”
The new store is hoping to turn out to be the identical kind of neighborhood middle Little Kingdom was.
Clark mentioned they’re engaged on rising the shop’s choices to incorporate espresso and fuel.
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