New businesses and non-profit organizations regularly open and move in Saskatoon. Today, the StarPhoenix talks to Jason Allen and Cam Werezak, part of the team that operates The Patch Wine & Spirits, which opened in December south of Saskatoon in the Grasswood area.
The Patch, owned by English River First Nation, is the first liquor store on an urban reserve in Saskatchewan. The store showcases many wines and spirits from Indigenous-owned companies across Western Canada.
Q: Why put a liquor store on an urban reserve south of Saskatoon?
Jason Allen: It was something that I had wanted probably for the last four to five years. We can provide opportunities for Indigenous people to purchase products at a more fair price. Status individuals get rebate savings based on showing their treaty card and purchasing the product on reserve land. And for any customers, if you’re passing by or going to the lake, now you’ve got a place where you can grab a cold case of beer (or other products) on the way out.
There are a lot of acreages south of the city and that was part of the reason we did it. If you look at those acreages, the closest liquor store they could get to would be the Sobeys on Clarence in the south. Our store is on your way, on the highway, going to the lake. You don’t have to drive into the city. We’ll get a lot of traffic from Rider games, people going to the lake on the weekends. We’re right here. It’s convenient.
Q: What sets The Patch Wine & Spirits apart from your competition?
JA: We are local. That’s the one key that I would try to make a point of. The money generated from this company stays within the (English River First Nation) community and hence stays in the province. It’s not like a Sobeys which is national and they take the money out of this province and ship it to their headquarters.
Q: Could you tell us about your Proudly Indigenous section?
JA: Our Proudly Indigenous section showcases some of the Indigenous companies that provide wine and spirits and various products in the liquor industry. Many of our partners are world-renowned. They go into wine contests and they’ve actually generated awards for their product. We’ve also brought in some local companies with Aboriginal or Indigenous connections.
Cam Werezak: Here are companies that are currently featured in the Proudly Indigenous section of our store:
Indigenous World Winery
, Kelowna, B.C. (Selections include: Merlot and Hee-Hee-Tel-Kin).
Nk’mip Cellars
, Osoyoos, B.C. (Chardonnay, Meritage, Merlot, Syrah, Talon).
The Parenteau Brothers
, Clavet, SK (Chocolate Cherry, Meadworks Dry, Meadworks Semi-Sweet)
Lucky Bastard
, Saskatoon (Vodka, Dill Pickle Vodka, Vanilla Espresso Vodka.)
Q: Which Saskatchewan-made products do you feature?
CW: Based on customer demand and requests, we are adding to our local products as demand increases. Our current selection includes:
Lucky Bastard
, Saskatoon (see product selection above)
Sperling Distillery
, Regina (Vodka)
Radouga Distilleries
, Blaine Lake (Vodka, Apple Pie Liqueur, Blueberry Liqueur)
Last Mountain Distillery
, Lumsden (Various products)
Whitetail Distillery
, Grasswood, SK (Vodka)
We are also offering selections from local breweries:
Great Western Brewing Company
, Saskatoon
Churchill Brewing Company
, Saskatoon
Nine Mile Legacy Brewing
, Saskatoon
Minhas Brewery
, Regina and Saskatoon
District Brewing Company
, Regina
Rebellion Brewing Company
, Regina
Black Bridge Brewery
, Swift Current
Nokomis Craft Ales
, Nokomis
JA:
We’re gradually increasing our different skews of products in the store. If you’re looking for something that we don’t carry, we can place an order and try to bring it in. We’ve been trying to see what it is that the customers that are currently coming to the store are looking for. If it’s a normal SLGA (Saskatchewan Liquor Gaming Authority) product, we usually can get it in within a week to two weeks. We’re catering to the customer.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
The Patch Wine & Spirits
Address:
501-2553 Grasswood Road (Near Jemini Arena in Grasswood area just south of Saskatoon off Highway 12)
Owner:
English River First Nation
Director of Retail:
Jason Allen
Manager:
Cam Werezak
Hours:
Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Will expand during summer)
Phone:
(306)649-6177
Email:
ThePatch@desnedhe.com
Website:
www.desnedhe.com
Check:
Facebook
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