Growth forecast for Nipissing First Nation entrepreneur
By Kelly Anne Smith
NIPISSING FIRST NATION – Just eight kilometres from the city of North Bay, on Osprey Miikan Road, there is a fast, friendly, full-service gas bar that also happens to serve fresh organic Twiggs Coffee Roasters coffee and is just steps to Cheerful Charlie’s Cannabis Company.
Charlie Avery of Nipissing First Nation was cheerful during a morning conversation at Arrowhead Gas Bar. Taking in the great view of Lake Nipissing, he talked about getting started with help from Nipissing First Nation’s Economic Development Department.
“They initiated the lottery for here. They gave me property; they gave me anything I needed as far as paperwork for financing. They’ve been a big help.”
Avery says his parents Ronald and Deborah Avery have been a positive influence during his first venture, adding they had a big impact on his work ethic.
“My mother and father opened up a hotel about 20 years ago just east of us here outside of North Bay called Sundown Ridge. I watched them as they put their heart and soul into it and it worked. I had very good examples.”
It hasn’t been easy opening two businesses at the start of a global pandemic. During COVID-19 lockdown, Operations Manager Doug Macdonald counted only 11 cars in half an hour going in either direction on Hwy 11.
“So, it was worrisome.”
Business is booming now. Avery reports that he employs eight Indigenous people with four employees at each business. He says there will be more employment opportunities as his ventures become more popular. Avery is also adding a snack bar.
MacDonald says the menu is still in discussion.
“Definitely fish and chips are at the top of the list along with a couple of novelty ideas that’s something a little different and worth the 10-minute drive from town.”
Avery’s newly paved property shows signs of development also.
“We’re in the process of bringing in diesel. We’re just waiting for a tank but because of COVID-19, it’s been delayed multiple times now. We’ve been waiting for a few months. We also have propane on the way.”
Bineshii Commercial & Light Industrial Park is expanding all around him which he says benefits his businesses.
“It will help to have more people go through here and make more people aware that we’re here. Some people don’t come that far onto the reserve. It will draw them out here and then they will actually know that we’re here.”
He’s proud of the convenience for customers with the gas bar and cannabis store combination.
“It’s great having both locations feed each other. It’s a one-stop-shop. They come here and buy their gas, tobacco if that’s what they are looking for, or cannabis products at Cheerful Charlie’s Cannabis Company.”
Asked if the product from cannabis growing opportunities on Nipissing First Nation would be for sale, he explained that can’t happen to protect the small business owners.
“Only in Ontario, do they (OCS) take all the products and they distribute them out. The reason being is, in other provinces, the rich people can start a chain. And they make a deal with a grower and say, ‘You sell to us exclusively,’ leaving the small shops out. They don’t stand a chance because the market is not available to them.”
Although Avery now has a stake in gasoline, he sees technology changing and he’ll keep up for his customers.
“If you buy a Tesla, it will be an appreciating asset because it’s going to get more expensive. If that’s what the economy is using, I’m sure I would go in that direction. They say five to 10 years. They are at a half a million cars right now and growing.”