After nearly nine decades under family ownership, the renowned general store Weaver and Devore in Yellowknife is set to be sold. Harry Weaver and Bud Devore established the store in Yellowknife’s Old Town back in 1936. The Weaver family has managed the store for three generations, with Devore relinquishing his stake in the company in 1955. Reflecting on the store’s history, Weaver, a co-owner and grandson of Harry Weaver, shared his recollections with CBC News recently.
Curtis Dunford and Cherish Winsor, residents of Yellowknife, are stepping in to take over the business, intending to operate it alongside their sons. In a statement, Dunford and Winsor expressed their commitment to upholding the 89-year tradition of Weaver and Devore in Yellowknife. They outlined their simple approach of maintaining open doors, well-stocked shelves, and reliable bush/camp orders while preserving the store’s familiar charm for future generations. The announcement assured that the store’s name, operating hours, and core product offerings, including groceries, household essentials, and winter gear, will remain unchanged.
The original Weaver and Devore store, believed to have been constructed using wood from Fort Resolution and flooring from a barge, is situated opposite its current location. According to Ken Weaver, the partnership between his grandfather and Bud Devore began when they became friends and ventured into a barge business in the Peace River region, eventually leading them to Great Bear Lake in the N.W.T. The discovery of gold in Yellowknife prompted their return to the North permanently. Initially trading directly from the barge in Yellowknife, they later established the original shop.
In 1972, the Weaver and Devore store relocated to its present site at the Quonset hut. Weaver fondly recalled his childhood memories of the store, from assisting with stocking shelves with canned goods to interacting with trappers trading their goods during the holiday season. Despite the emotional attachment to the business, Weaver acknowledged that the time had come to pass it on, citing the physical toll of the work and the need for a new chapter. He expressed confidence in the new owners, noting their strong work ethic and innovative ideas for the future of the business.
While Weaver refrained from detailing specific changes under the new ownership, he hinted at potential modernizations, speculating that the store’s popular hot dog machine would likely remain a fixture for customers seeking a quick bite at lunchtime.
