The Bigway in Shellbrook is back in business. (Facebook)

By Nigel Maxwell

Local economy

Shellbrook grocery store reopens after electrical fire

Jan 23, 2025 | 2:00 PM

There’s a big sigh of relief this week in Shellbrook, as the community’s only grocery store has reopened its doors.

An electrical fire last October, forced the immediate closure of Big Way Foods and local residents were forced to travel outside the community to get their groceries. Owner Jody Lanovaz told paNOW he felt really good about being back open.

“”We’ve been closed a long time and it’s hard on people in the community, we understand that, but yeah it was really good to see people come back in,” he said.

Shelves are fully stocked and ready for customers. (Facebook/Bigway Foods Shellbrook))

The source of the fire was a freezer unit and due to the amount of smoke damage, and the fact it happened in a store that sells food, staff had to be very diligent with cleaning. All the store’s inventory was disposed of and the store had to be washed from top to bottom.

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Further acknowledging the immense amount of work required, Lanovaz was happy to report they are back to normal operations.

“You know there was a lot of work to do, a lot of renovation to do, and of course you know being closed and we wanted to retain our staff and keep everybody on board and that was pretty challenging,” Lanovaz said. “You know it wasn’t our intention to be closed that long but you know we have to go with the process.”

Inside the restored Bigway Foods in Shellbrook. (Facebook)

Being closed over Christmas, typically their busiest time of year, meant some lost sales but Lanovaz reiterated his thanks to the community.

“I do want to thank everybody for the support and understanding and I look forward to seeing everybody,” he said.

During the store’s temporary closure, the Shellbrook Chamber of Commerce set up a bus service for three days a week that took people into Canwood to get groceries. There were also local people volunteering to make deliveries.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell