While the Jasper community continues to rebuild after the devastating forest fires last summer, the owners of a popular business in the mountain city have developed a plan to reopen in the capital of Alberta.
“Financially and emotionally, we have to do it,” Wendy Leitch told Global News on Monday. A few weeks before Jasper was evacuated because of forest fires, she and her husband Glen had just celebrated the 20th anniversary of their opening of the popular grocery store on rue Patricia.
“We have to turn around,” said Wendy. “We have been closed since July 22.”
July fires in Jasper National Park have forced thousands of people to flee from the region and destroyed around 350 houses and businesses, according to local officials. At the end of last month, Canada’s insurance office provided a revised estimate on the total damage caused by fires, noting that which increased to $ 1.23 billion against $ 880 million.
Wendy and Glen said they were still struggling with certain insurance problems after losing their business in the fire, but decided to open a new chapter for their business in downtown Edmonton and use a flat -Online form to try to finance the money they will need for doing this.
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“(We) invite people who like us to be part of reconstruction,” said Wendy. “Because cold meats do not belong to us, it belongs to many people.”
She added that she believed that forest fires had an impact on many people beyond those who live in the rocky mountains.
“Jasper does not belong to the Jasper community, it belongs to everyone.”
Wendy and Glen said they were planning to keep the name of Patricia Street’s charcuterie and added that some former employees had expressed their interest in being part of the company’s new era in Edmonton.
The couple said in December that they had accelerated their research where they would like to reopen, and have found a space that will be five times larger than their Jasper location.
“We are going to start with everything we have done, then we develop,” said Glen, adding that he hoped that they will be able to reopen before the next birthday of the charcuterie, which is in July.
Glen and Wendy said that the reopening with the ancient traditions of delicatessen would not have been possible without the help of their children.
“We had a workbook with all the recipes and photos of all our products. But that had disappeared, “he said, speaking of the consequences of fire. “So, if it was not for the foresight of our children, the copy of everything and putting it on the cloud, without the recipes, it would have been really difficult.”
Glen and Wendy said it was a transition because the two planned to retire in Jasper.
“Many people ask:” When are you coming back? “” Said Glen. “We say to them:” We do not come back, (but) we can one day put back a charcuterie (Jasper). »»
Wendy said that if her family was enthusiastic about the new charcuterie plan, she and Glen are “still in sorrow” in the way the fires have uprooted their lives.
“We were on an adventure,” she said.
Glen said that he thought that the cold meats on rue Patricia will connect with beloved family customers, even if it is located more than 350 kilometers from its original location.
While the Jasper community continues to rebuild after the devastating forest fires last summer, the owners of a popular business in the mountain city have developed a plan to reopen in the capital of Alberta.
Gracieuse: Patricia Street Deli
“Before even making a sandwich, that’s how you are treated,” he said. “And that’s what I will remember about our customers and what we have done.
“We are very proud of the brand.”
– With Erik Bay files, Global News