A destroyed transmission line led to a power outage between Monday and Thursday. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

small towns

‘What community is all about’: Local businesses ready to serve during power outage

May 21, 2021 | 5:54 PM

Many businesses in the tri-communities were ready to serve during a nearly 80-hour power outage.

Although it took some time, throughout week stores began to reopen after suddenly closing Monday after the electricity was lost. One of the first businesses to do so was the Lake Country Co-op, which operates several locations in both Air Ronge and La Ronge. In a statement to larongeNOW from the company, it noted the outage caused challenges for members and customers to receive the products and services they required.

“Our La Ronge Food Store was temporarily closed at the beginning of the week but we rented a generator to get it back up and running,” the email stated. “The food store was also happy to donate bread and buns to local organizations within the community.”

The Air Ronge Co-op Gas Bar also ran on a generator to provide services such as food, fuel and postal services. Employees from the La Ronge gas station worked at the Air Ronge location to help.

“We know our northern communities rely on us for providing essential services and we will always be here to provide community support in these difficult times,” the email stated.

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Penny’s Hair Design Ltd. reopened Wednesday and owner Penny Schooley said residents were showing up to wash their hair because of the lack of hot water. She noted her salon is not an essential service, but she wanted to be available to the public and allowed residents to warm up or charge their phones.

Penny Schooley is the owner of Penny’s Hair Design Ltd. in La Ronge. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

During the last four days, Schooley credited a small-town mentality for how residents managed to come together and pull through. She said the tri-communities is a place people rally together.

“I think small businesses kind of went out of their way to make sure everybody had food and fuel and heat,” Schooley said. “Being in a small town, I think that’s just what businesses do and what community is all about.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno