Caldwell Gas and Variety celebrates one year anniversary

A spectacle of colour and sound graced the grounds of Caldwell First Nation on Saturday, April 6 as the gas and variety store on site commemorated their first year in business in Leamington.

Caldwell Chief Mary Duckworth and Mayor Hilda MacDonald made opening remarks before a large crowd, followed by an honour song performed by Anishinaabe singers and accompanied by dancers from Walpole Island. Food trucks filled bellies, including an offering of First Nations tacos, a bouncy castle kept the little ones entertained and a draw was held to give away big-screen televisions.

Bill Singh, the manager on site, stated that their first year of business was “way beyond what anyone thought it would be.” He indicated that the business generated three times more commerce than was anticipated.

Singh attributed the success of the business to two factors, both price and a significant presence on social media.

Expansion is planned in the near future with either a large addition to the existing store or construction of a new store altogether.