Johnny's Store in Namao has had a makeover.
Gone are the convenience store snacks and candy, although a few chocolate bars can be purchased behind the cashier's box. The only thing left to go are the gas pumps, which are currently up for sale.
The place was packed with rows of shelves filled with handcrafted items as people weaved in between the aisles. With the new owner comes an entirely new look.
“I knew I had to do something with it, it’s a historical building,” said Amanda Dubé, who runs the store. “We made it into a rustic market instead of a corner store.”
This is the second time Johnny’s Store has changed hands since 2016, with the owners Brenda and John McNeilly still owning the building but leasing it out to different people.
The last tenant had plans to sell fish and chips within the store as a way to offer something unique, but the convenience store’s Facebook page once again announced its closure in September.
In January Dubé took over the business and knew the old model had to go. She’s planning on keeping the iconic name, even though her business is called Maristins Market.
“I don’t think the corner store model necessarily works here anymore considering all the big box stores, people are sort of passing by quickly,” she said. “And that’s why the previous owners closed.”
Scrapping the convenience store model, Dubé has brought in around 65 vendors to showcase their work. The walls are filled with rows of shelves offering handmade candies, candles and crafts. Furniture and wooden signs are placed at the back, with beeswax candles hanging from hooks in the wall. There are spools of yarn and figurines on display.
Instead of bringing in typical items to sell at the furniture store, Dubé said she wanted to invite local vendors into the space to sell their uncommon goods, much like what you would expect to see at a farmers’ market.
“Most people who are crafters have such talent and such love, but it is a secondary hobby to them. They can’t make ends meet doing it, because they have jobs and kids and families,” she said.
“For me to be able to give people an opportunity where they can just leave their stuff, not worry about it and sell their stuff and make some money, that was really exciting for me.”
Dubé currently lives in Fort Saskatchewan, about 20 minutes east of the small town. She grew up in Saskatchewan, but found herself in Alberta more than a decade ago with her husband at the time. She travelled across Canada quite a bit but landed back in Alberta in 2012.
Both her children attend the Namao school, so it seemed fitting that she would start a business in the town. She’s currently leasing the building for the next three years with an intent to buy out the business from McNeilly.
Prior to opening the store, Dubé worked as a marketing manager. This is her first time running a business and so far it’s been successful. While visiting on a Saturday the store was virtually packed, which Dubé said has been common since opening
Samantha Braconnier, who lives on the military base nearby, said it was her first time in the store. She said she was impressed.
“We’re really excited to have this here,” she said. “I was kind of blown away by everyone’s creativity. Everything is so unique and well thought-out. I think it’s perfect for where we live.”
The store itself goes back 116 years. While its name changed to Namao Store for 22 years of its history in 1988, it reverted back to its original name, Johnny’s Store, in 2010.
John McNeilly bought the store in 2010 and still retains its ownership. In that time two different lessors have moved in and out of the building.
In 2014 McNeilly had to close the doors for health reasons, and it stayed that way for about two years until a new shop owner leased the building in 2016.
In September the building once again was open for rent.
The McNeilly family has owned the building since the 1930s when Robert McNeilly bought the building in 1931 and called it ‘Reds’. The name changed to Johnny’s when it was sold to Robert’s son, John McNeilly.
The building itself has retained a lot of its original characteristics. While Dubé did give the building a facelift, its original sign and paint job remains on the outside of the building. Inside the original floors have been maintained, as well as the building's original structure.
“I could name this store anything but everybody will always know this store as Johnny’s Store,” she said, adding that all the building needed was a little tender loving care. “When we came in it was dirty and musty, it needed some love.”
