Memories abound as La Ronge business enters its final weeks

As the new year starts, a new chapter will start to unfold for a La Ronge-area business.

Many of the employees at Robertson Trading worked their final shifts on Friday. After that, it’ll just be owner Scott Robertson and one other person operating the shop as they liquidate their stock and officially close by the end of April.

Robertson told larongeNOW that he’s ready to retire and does have some feelings of regret knowing a longtime business and landmark in the community won’t be there anymore.

News of the final months of the shop has prompted many to share their thoughts and memories through social media.

“I can still hear the sound of Sorel boots running down the red and white tiled aisles looking for my grandpa. I can taste the sticky sweetness of frozen treats that we ate while sitting on lard pails as a way to control our sticky fingers,” Kimberley Robertson, a granddaughter of founders Alex and Phyllis Robertson, wrote in a post on Facebook.

“I can feel the slipperiness of the strands of beads as I ran my fingers across them almost every time I walked passed the display. I can see the shine on the colourful laminated signs that plastered the store. And the smell, the smell of smoked moose hide, that coated your nostrils the moment you walked in the building.”

“Everyone who has been to this business knows it is a unique place because every visit is an experience,” said Kandis Riese, recalling a recent visit. “I have never experienced a place like Robertson’s store elsewhere, and I doubt I ever will. I am grateful for today’s experience at the store.”

La Ronge Mayor Joe Hordyski also has many fond memories of the store but said his favourite one was how it brought people together.

“Quite often we will host events and we’ll have a lot of other town people attending, so quite often it’s a place to meet and greet with some of these other town people and have many, many conversations,” he said.

Hordyski said that since news broke of the impending closure, those from La Ronge and neighbouring communities have wondered what it would look like without the Robertsons. They’re also concerned about the void that it’s going to create.

The Town of La Ronge said it’s unable to purchase the property due to challenges with housing and infrastructure projects, but said it will work with anyone who wants to keep the store afloat.