Gas Outlets In Ile-a-la-Crosse Worry About Future

Gas Outlets In Ile-a-la-Crosse Worry About Future

Friday, August 26, 2005 at 13:31

A decision by the village council of Ile-a-la-Crosse to give the green light to a proposed gas bar is raising the ire of some local storeowners.

Both the Lakeshore Gas Bar and the Northway Confectionary are protesting the move, saying it makes little sense to allow a big corporate player to go head-to-head with small northern businesses.

The company in question is the Northern Store.

Lakeshore Gas Bar owner Sheryl Woods says ultimately she could be forced out of business, especially if the larger chain is prepared to absorb some losses early on.

Ile-a-la-Crosse mayor Max Morin is defending the move, saying the village isn’t in a position to shoo away outside investment.

However, he acknowledges it won’t be in the community’s best interests if the local gas bars are forced out of the area.

It’s not known when the Northern Store is set to begin construction on the new gas bar/confectionary.