Duane Hicks
Life has gotten a lot more convenient for those living in the vicinity of Red Gut Bay.
Earlier this month, Jeremiah Windego opened Windey’s Food Market at Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation on Highway 11, providing a much-needed business to service the area after K&S Gas and Convenience closed its doors nearly two years ago.
“Things are going well,” he said. “A lot of people from Mine Centre are happy that it’s open.
“A lot of the Bear Passage people are big supporters, and of course we’ve got Lac La Croix, Seine River and Red Gut,” he added.
Windego said he is emphasizing the “convenience” part of convenience store.
“We’re trying to keep long hours so people can come in and check out our store, see our products and selection that we have,” he noted. “It’s not the best time of year to be open that long but we’re dedicated to providing the service.
“We haven’t been open late once, and we haven’t closed early once,” said Windego.
Windey’s Food Market also offers a diverse selection of goods and services to its customers.
“Our location has an ATM machine, slushy makers, pizza oven, ice maker, and new freezer sections for greater selection of dry, frozen or hot and fresh foods,” said Windego. “We offer gas and tobacco products also.”
There also is handmade jewellery for sale.
Looking ahead to next year, Windego said he will use the large deck at the store for entertaining, with plans to have barbecues where people can get a steak, ribs or chicken dinner with a baked potato with all the fixings.
“We plan on installing a greenhouse in the spring and will be selling flowers and plants,” he noted.
“We also intend on building a local farmers’ market that will operate on weekends during the summer months,” added Windego. “We’re really trying to bring people in and just start a little economy there, provide a place for people to come and have a garage sale or sell some goods that they make.”
Windego, who also runs his consulting company, Black Dog Management and Consulting, has been working at the store along with two other staff, but he might hire two more people in the future.
“I work 50 hours a week in the store, plus everything else,” he noted. “But it’s nice. When it’s slow enough I can still get my laptop out and can still get my proposals done.”
Although consulting work means he has to travel a couple times a week, his staff have been good about covering for him.
His biggest consulting job right now is the Tunnel Island Common Ground Project for the City of Kenora, Grand Council Treaty 3, and three individual FN communities.
