The residents of Minto have lost their only grocery store to a fire.
The blaze started in the early morning hours and while the building, a Foodland, is a total loss after burning to the ground, nobody was hurt.
When it comes to closest option for grocery shopping for those living in Minto, mayor Don Gould says it’s at least 20 kilometres away in Chipman. He tells us an emergency meeting has been held.
(Warning: video contains strong language)
“One of the things that we’re trying to establish now is a cadre of volunteers to maybe on specific days transport people who do not have vehicles, or more vulnerable people, and assist them that way,” says Gould.
“We’re also trying to contact different suppliers…to see if they could come to the town with a vehicle once a week to provide some of the staples.”
We asked whether there has been any talk of rebuilding the grocery store, which we’re told employed between 30 and 40 people.
“I spoke to the owner…and as we speak there are representatives coming from Nova Scotia, from Sobeys and I guess after they have a discussion there’ll be something I’m sure done,” he says.
(photo and video credit: Kyle Patrick Powers)
