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Customers’ convenience is the name of the game
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Staff at Larsen’s General Store in Joussard are ready to serve their customers. Left-right are owner Charmaine Larsen, Eric Larsen and Bernadette Loyst.
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Helen Koski shows the brand new cappuccino machine at the store, which has proven to be very popular with customers.
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Chris Clegg
South Peace News
Charmaine Larsen has loved every minute since she and her husband, Kevin, purchased Berni’s Country Corner in Joussard last year.
The couple renamed the store Larsen’s General Store after assuming control Nov. 17 and immediately began to put their stamp on the business, with a specific goal in mind.
“We’re a convenience store, not an inconvenience store,” says Charmaine.
And what a convenience store it is! Packed into its shelves is a wide variety of items one would find at a store appropriately named “general store”. Grocery items, camping supplies, snacks, beverages, hardware needs - almost everything one needs to enjoy a day at the lake or at home.
The Larsens decided to consider buying the store with several options in mind.
“I was looking for property at the lake to put a cottage,” says Charmaine. “There was nothing. I drove by and saw this building.”
So, they decided to take the plunge despite having no direct experience in retail.
“If the store doesn’t work out, we’ll have a nice, big yard by the lake,” says Charmaine.
So, far, that doesn’t appear to be the case.
“Business is really picking up,” says Charmaine, as they head into the busy summer tourist season.
With all the items a true general store has to offer, it’s hard not to find what you need at Larsen’s General Store.
But that doesn’t mean the Larsens won’t try to improve on a good thing. To meet the needs of customers, they have made some changes with more on the way. One of the first was to build a public washroom.
“A lot of people really appreciate it. Bathrooms are like a convenience for the customers.”
The car wash will also be operating soon.
“It’s been down for two years,” says Charmaine. “It will be going by the end of the month.”
Larsen’s General Store now offers propane exchange, just in time for camping season.
“You just bring in your old tank and take a new one,” says Charmaine. “No waiting for it to be filled.”
Another unique touch is Larsen’s General Store is offering either soup, chili or stew with bannock each Saturday starting at 11 a.m.
“The construction workers like it and we have people coming in just to buy the bannock.”
Of course, customers can also choose from a wide variety of snacks, smokies and kubasa with beverages to choose from including cappuccino coffee.
Staff also keep close track of what customers want and try to meet their needs. Near to the top of the list is the newly-expanded selection of camping gear including tents, sleeping bags and lifejackets.
“If we don’t have it, we’ll try to get it in stock,” says Charmaine.
She adds the successes the store is enjoying is truly a family effort. Kevin is the handyman and does upgrades and repairs, her sister Helen Koski manages and helps in the retail end by bringing the 17 years of retail experience she has. Charmaine’s son, Eric, works at the store. Bernadette Loyst, one of the former owners, is also employed.
Larsen’s General Store is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
“We’re looking at opening until midnight for the summer if the need is there,” says Charmaine. “Whatever the customers want we’re here for them.”
For now, Larsen invites the public in to check out the changes. She thanks everyone for their support and looks forward to serving an increasing clientele. Stop by the store to check out the changes and say hello.
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