A major project is on the horizon for a Winkler convenience store and gas bar.
    
Owner and Manager of Hi-Way Groceteria along Highway 32, Corey Friesen says the current building will be torn down this spring making way for a new store.  The demolition process will begin in early April.

Friesen along with 20-year employee, Sara

While demolition and construction take place, Friesen says they will be operating out of the former Video Stop unit just north of the store.  Friesen says they will offer all of their services at the temporary location, excluding fuel and drive-thru service.

With shovels not even in the ground yet, Friesen says it can be hard to say for sure when they'll be set to operate out of the new building, but the aim is to have the new store open by the second week of August.

Once demolition starts, Friesen said that process will take about a week, with a proposed construction timeline of about 17 weeks.  "There are lots of things that happen, from the old tanks coming up, the environmental assessment and the clean-up, right down to the building going up.  W.B.S. Construction is our general contractor and they have proposed a pretty solid schedule as to when we can expect to be open."

Aside from offering all the same services they do now when they begin operating out of the new facility, Friesen says the new store will adding a deli kitchen to provide a variety of fresh 'grab and go' foods.

New gas tanks and pumps will also be installed to complement the new store.
    
The new building will be 4,100 square feet, about 1,100 square feet larger than the current building.

(Conceptual Drawings of the new Hi-Way Groceteria store submitted by Corey Friesen)