After nearly nine decades under family ownership, the renowned general store Weaver and Devore in Yellowknife is set to be transferred to new hands. Established in 1936 by Harry Weaver and Bud Devore in Yellowknife’s Old Town, the store has been managed by the Weaver family for three generations, with Devore parting ways with the business in 1955. Recalling the store’s history, Ken Weaver, grandson of co-founder Harry Weaver, shared nostalgic anecdotes with CBC News.
Taking over the business are Curtis Dunford and Cherish Winsor, residents of Yellowknife, who expressed their commitment to upholding the 89-year-old tradition of the store. The couple, along with their sons, aim to maintain the store’s essence by ensuring continuity in operations, product availability, and customer service while passing on the legacy to the next generation.
In a press release, Dunford and Winsor assured that the store’s name, operating hours, and core offerings, such as groceries, essential household items, and winter gear, will remain unchanged. The original store, a historic log cabin believed to have been constructed using materials from Fort Resolution and a barge, still stands across from its current location.
Ken Weaver narrated how his grandfather and Bud Devore ventured into business, initially operating a barge company in the Peace River region before eventually settling at Great Bear Lake in the Northwest Territories. The allure of gold in Yellowknife led them back to the North, where they began trading directly off a barge until the establishment of the original store.
In 1972, the store made a significant move to its present location in a Quonset hut. Weaver fondly reminisced about his childhood experiences at the store, from assisting with stocking shelves to observing bush trappers exchanging goods during the holiday season. Reflecting on the decision to sell the business, Weaver acknowledged the physical toll of age and expressed gratitude for the livelihood the store provided him and his siblings.
While acknowledging the emotional weight of parting with the family business, Weaver expressed confidence in the new proprietors’ abilities and innovative vision for the store’s future. He anticipated progressive changes under the new management, hinting at potential technological advancements while humorously noting that the store’s beloved hot dog machine is likely here to stay due to its popularity among customers.