A northern Saskatchewan community has been without a store for a few weeks and a local man says the community is suffering.

Tracy Merasty of Sandy Bay says local residents are being forced to travel more than 70 kilometres to Pelican Narrows for their gas and groceries.

Merasty says many people in the community can’t afford the commute.

“Our leaders need to assist the community to help reopen our grocery store,” he says.

“It is getting colder, so people need gas and food to eat.”

Merasty says the store is owned by the local band but has been leased out to a Regina businessman.

He says they have been unable to reach the businessman to reopen the store.