Bringing a community together while keeping them physically distanced
A table that a convenience store in Spruce Grove put up to keep employees and customers physically distanced during the pandemic has become a symbol of community.
When the pandemic began, many stores began putting up Plexiglas screens to help keep people safe.
At Century Convenience in Spruce Grove, they wanted to do something different as the screens felt like they were shutting the customers out, according to the co-owner. Instead, one of the owners of the store and a customer built a table to put in front of the check-out counter.
“I thought maybe people would get mad because of the distance and everything… but everyone’s loved it so much and they don’t want us moving from here,” said Jaskiran Kaleka, the co-owner of Century Convenience.
“I went and got paint it to kind of match the counter but then people came in and started asking, ‘Can I sign it?’”
The table is covered with names and notes from customers, some from as far away as B.C.
Notes on a table at a Spruce Grove convenience store. Sunday Jan 16, 2022 (CTV News Edmonton)
“I’m so thankful for the people in Spruce Grove here, I can’t thank them enough, they’re really beautiful people,” said Kaleka. “They’ve helped us through the pandemic so much, we didn’t even think that we’d be still keeping our door open.”
Once the pandemic is over, Kaleka plans to put the tabletop turned keepsake on display on the wall.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.