SLDA Business Member Profiles

As part of SLDA's Welcoming Communities initiative, we are gaining insights into the entrepreneurs and local businesses in the Labrador Straits, and their positive impact on social and economic progress.

The Northern Light Inn, a business that has flourished over time, has significantly contributed to putting L'Anse Au Clair on the map.

For the past five decades, it's likely that if you've visited Labrador, you've stayed at the Northern Light Inn. However, few are aware of its modest start.

In the late 1960s, Steve and Shirley Letto constructed a large house in L'Anse Au Clair. Responding to the demand from tradespeople, salespersons, and visitors, they inaugurated a small hospitality home. As demand increased, the Letto's contemplated building cabins, but with the region's growth, they opted to erect a small hotel instead.

Through immense hard work and perseverance, they established a small hotel featuring eight rooms, a modest dining area, and a lounge. The Northern Light Inn celebrated its grand opening on December 31, 1973. In 1976, following the announcement of a tunnel construction in the Straits of Belle Isle, the hotel expanded with eight additional rooms and five cabins across the street. With the Labrador Straits highway undergoing upgrades, another 16 rooms were added in 1979.

This expansion significantly marked L'Anse Au Clair on the map, and with its proximity to the straits ferry, the hotel became a favored lodging for travelers to and from Newfoundland.

The current proprietors, Brad and Chad Letto, sons of Steve and Shirley, recall their childhood immersed in the hospitality sector, witnessing the Northern Light Inn's growth from a young age. In the mid-1990s, the Labrador Straits area garnered attention from the bus tour sector and the broader tourism industry, leading to the addition of 24 new rooms and the completion of a fully equipped RV park. With the development of Muskrat Falls, the Letto family continued their momentum, adding 16 more rooms.

Today, the Northern Light Inn stands as a landmark for the Labrador Straits, boasting 69 air-conditioned rooms, conference facilities of various sizes, Jungle Jim's restaurant, and a fully licensed 'Shed Pub' where you can enjoy Greco Pizza or Chester's Chicken.

If you've ever attended a business meeting, a conference, a wedding, or simply enjoyed a great night's sleep in Southern Labrador, it was likely at the one and only Northern Light Inn.

Here's to 50 years of excellence and to 50 more, from the Southern Labrador Development Association.

Phone: (709) 931-2332 | Fax: (709) 931-2708 | Email: northernlight@nf.sympatico.ca
http://www.northernlightinn.com/

-J.Groves, SLDA Program Officer, Welcoming Communities Initiative

For many years, the residents of Forteau and the surrounding areas have relied on Hancock's Woodworks for lumber, building materials, cabinetry, and much more. In fact, when it came to construction, we just went to "Henry's".

Henry Hancock established his lumberyard, woodworking, and cabinetry business in around 1965. Over the years, it has evolved into a vital establishment in the community. For the next 40 years, Henry's son, Keith Hancock, represented the company and became its face.

In 1974, Henry's brothers, Melvin and Graham Hancock, opened their hardware and grocery store on Main Street under the "Pro Hardware" franchise.

Bert Belben, the assistant store manager, began working there in 1986 and has gained extensive knowledge, providing valuable advice and expertise. He remembers how Hancock's has truly become a family business, taking pride in offering exceptional customer service.

In 1999, Hancock's Woodworks acquired Pro Hardware, leading to the merger that formed the company we recognize today. By 2003, the lumberyard and hardware business had reached their peak, prompting them to exit the grocery sector and focus solely on building supplies and hardware. Under Keith's leadership and that of his dedicated team, the company became part of the TIM-BR Mart franchise in 2008.

Sadly, Keith passed away in 2009, and his vision continues to drive the growth of TIM-BR Mart, including the establishment of the first indoor drive-thru lumberyard on the coast in 2015.

Today, Henry's children, grandsons, and in-laws carry on the legacy, providing high-quality products, personalized service, and an overall positive shopping experience. So why not let their family help your family make your project a success?

The Southern Labrador Development Association extends its gratitude to TIM-BR Mart for their service to our region.

-John Groves, Program Officer, SLDA's Welcoming Communities Initiative

Tel: (709)-931-2620| Email: hwoodwork@nf.aibn.com |https://www.facebook.com/HancocksWoodwork

If you mention the word success in the Labrador Straits and Southeast Labrador, one name comes to mind and it's the Labrador Fishermen's Union Shrimp Company Limited.

From humble beginnings in the late 1970's to a major powerhouse in the fishing industry, the LFUSCL, locally known as the "Shrimp Company" has come a long way.

They say it was Frank Flynn who decided the best way to explore the possibility of obtaining shrimp licenses would be to form a fishermen's union so that many could benefit from this new venture, and the rest is history and prosperity.

Gilbert Linstead, General Manager and CEO since 1989, has been instrumental and a driving force behind a lot of changes and massive growth in the Shrimp Company over the last 50 years. Gilbert, born and raised in L'Anse Au Loup, grew up with the sea in his blood, fishing alongside his father, an inshore fisherman. As a teenager, he joined his brother Baxter in the family trade. In 1977, his path took a turn when businessman Pat Cabot presented him with a job opportunity.

Along with Ken Fowler, now Chief Operating Officer at the Shrimp Company, Mr. Linstead attended the College of Fisheries in St. John's, NL to learn about processing cod and other fresh fish, which was a first for this region. Equipped with the industry knowledge, Gilbert became plant manager with the shrimp company in 1981.

Under Gilbert's leadership for almost three decades, the company has experienced consistent growth. It now operates facilities in L'Anse Au Loup, Charlottetown, Cartwright, Pinsent's Arm, and two in Mary's Harbour. It employs between 500 and 600 workers, many of whom receive seasonal accommodations, and engages around 130 boats and numerous fishers who harvest a variety of seafood including cod, herring, capelin, halibut, snow crab, whelk, scallops, shrimp, and more.

In addition, the company owns and operates two fixed-gear vessels in the turbot fishery, as well as the Northern Osprey 3, which travels to the southern region of Baffin Island for shrimp harvesting and employs over 100 crew members nearly all year round.

Last year, the shrimp company opened a new retail outlet, The Seafood Shop, on the main highway in the town of L'Anse Au Loup, providing both tourists and residents with an exceptionally fresh seafood experience.

The Shrimp Company is an outstanding community partner, supporting events, organizations, and major charities across the communities it serves. Their commitment and diverse contributions have maintained employment within the region, even during challenging periods such as the cod moratorium and the COVID-19 pandemic. The Southern Labrador Development Association is forever grateful for these contributions.
-John Groves, Program Officer, SLDA's Welcoming Communities Initiative

Tel: (709) 927-5816 | Fax: (709) 927-5555 | Email: info@labshrimp.com | https://labshrimp.com

To really appreciate our local credit union and all it means to our region, we should first understand its history.

More than 40 years ago, the primary bank serving our region chose to withdraw, leaving our residents without access to financial services.

Shortly after a volunteer steering committee was established to spearhead the formation of a credit union. After consulting with the Credit Union Council for guidance, it became clear that the support of all residents from L'Anse au Clair to Cartwright, in the area formerly known as the Eagle River district, was necessary.

Following the election of a provisional board of directors, the Labrador Fishermen's Union Shrimp Company allocated a $100,000 deposit, $13,000 towards the first year's salary of the Credit Union manager, and $7,000 to the Credit Union for travel within eastern Labrador. The Southern Labrador Development Association contributed $5000 for the purchase of furniture and equipment, while the L'Anse au Loup community council provided a building rent-free for the first year, and a board of directors was elected.
It was June 1984 and the Eagle River Credit Union was open for business, offering checking accounts, savings accounts, personal loans, and just about everything that a major bank could offer, but with the added bonus of all customers becoming members and shareholders with annual dividends, voting rights at the annual general meetings and a true sense of community.

In just a short time our Credit Union became instantly profitable and the board of directors responded to the member's needs by investing in facilities, training and education.

Over the last 40 years the Eagle River Credit Union has become a major success story that can be attributed to the structure of the credit union movement itself that focuses on local ownership and local control.
In 1997 the Eagle River Credit Union (ERCU) joined with the White Hills Credit Union in St. Anthony and new branches were opened serving many people on the northern peninsula of Newfoundland. In 2023 Eagle River Credit Union amalgamated with the Leading Edge Credit Union and Atlantic Edge was created. Today our Atlantic Edge Credit Union is just one of 16 branches serving tens of thousands of customers.

In L'Anse au Loup, branch manager Michelle Rumbolt leads a team comprising two tellers, a financial lending officer, two corporate staff members, and two part-time employees. They provide a comprehensive range of financial services, including financial planning, investment solutions, insurance, retirement savings, RRSPs, education funds, mortgages, credit cards, and all the essentials for managing your financial security.

Their success has also abled the Atlantic Edge Credit Union to become an integral part of our community involvement, investing time and funds into recreation, education sponsorships, supporting the Bakeapple Folk Festival and many more.

The Southern Labrador Development Association sincerely wishes that our local Credit Union will experience as much success in its next 40 years as it has in the past 40.
-John Groves, Program Officer, SLDA's Welcoming Communities Initiative

(709) 927-5524

When it comes to Labrador tourism, nobody is more passionate than Lisa Davis - Ryland, Owner and operator of Take Me There TOURS.

Born and raised in the tiny town of L'Anse Amour, Lisa has always been fascinated in the travel industry as she spent a lot of time at her parent's bed and breakfast chatting to visitors from far and away.

After completing her education at mountain field Academy in Forteau, she went on to complete a diploma in travel and tourism in corner brook Newfoundland and Labrador

Shortly after, she took a tourism position in Banff Alberta in the hospitality trade and stayed for nine years, even though the Canadian Rockies are stunning and Banff it a beautiful place to work it was not home and you could not smell the salt water, Lisa longed for the opportunity to return home.

The opportunity was presented with the inception of Southern Labrador/Strait of Belle Isle Community Youth Network in 2001 as Fieldworker at Paula's Place a youth center serving the youth of L'Anse au Clair to Red Bay. Lisa now 23 years later is still working with the organization as executive director, responsible for four locations, 3 of which are in Labrador & the other in Flower's Cove on the tip of the Northern Peninsula.

With tourism still in her veins, some 10 years ago Lisa was asked to become a step on tour guide for Tour Labrador as they were catering to the cruise ships that arrived at lovely Red Bay, Labrador. Then covid happened and things came to a standstill for a couple of years resulting in the owners of Tour Labrador relocating and a void was created in the fledgling Labrador cruise ship business this is when Take Me There TOURS was founded and in the summer of 2022 operations began.

With great admiration and determination by so many people on the ground more cruise ships became interested in Red Bay's natural beauty, and the history of the Labrador region.

This season, (2024) has been a great success, out of the 12 cruise ships visiting, Lisa and her team of up to 10 employees, have played a role in welcoming most.

Most visitors agree that this little part of Labrador is a fantastic vacation experience, and a very proud Lisa has probably chatted to every single one.

Success does not happen alone; Lisa is very proud of every partnership formed over the last three years and looks forward to building more as she truly believes in the great potential this industry has. It is the smiles, the handshakes, the hugs and the waves goodbye that truly measures the success of their visit. Lisa Davis-Ryland is a true advocate for tourism in our area and looks forward to another successful year in 2025.
-John Groves, Program Officer, SLDA's Welcoming Communities Initiative

(709) 927-5706 | Tours.takemethere@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565625466984

RSK Grocery, situated at 33 Main highway, L'Anse Au Clair, has always been a 'go-to, one-stop shop' for many years. Originally established in the early 1970s by Les Chubbs, RSK is currently owned and operated by Susan and Jamie O'Brien.

RSK Grocery, employing up to six workers, offers a vast selection of essentials, everything you need including yarn, wool, and fabric. It is also the exclusive provincial dealership for Jack Dempsey Needle Art. RSK Grocery features the first gas station you encounter as you enter Labrador from the border, and it opens early to accommodate both travelers and local residents.

Jamie and his team recently expanded the store, adding a variety of freezers and coolers to give it that authentic supermarket ambiance. They also offer delivery services to the community's seniors.
Offering everything from a licensed Stihl dealership to an array of items ranging from boots to bologna, and chicken to chainsaws, it truly is much more than just a convenience store.
-John Groves, Program Officer, SLDA's Welcoming Communities Initiative

(709) 931-2591 | susanobrien8578@hotmail.com | https://www.facebook.com/RSKGROCERY1

Established in 1985, The Whalers Restaurant and Gift Shop has been a staple for tourists, travelers, and locals for almost four decades. Located at the heart of Red Bay's historic site, The Whaler's Restaurant has played a significant role in the town's development alongside the UNESCO heritage site. Operating annually from mid-May to October 1st, this establishment caters to over 100 bus tours and welcomes thousands of visitors each season. Owned and managed by Clarus and Marilyn Bridle, with a yearly staff of up to 12 employees, The Whaler's Restaurant is a well-known business in the area.

Their locally-inspired menu features breakfast, light lunches, flavorful chowder, and more. Notably, they are renowned for their award-winning fish 'n chips, recognized as the best in Atlantic Canada by a popular magazine. Additionally, The Whalers boasts an extensive gift shop, offering souvenirs from the Red Bay and Labrador Straits region.

When visiting the famous interpretation center in the historic Basque town of Red Bay, take a short stroll across the courtyard to experience the warm hospitality, inviting ambiance, and delectable cuisine at The Whalers Restaurant.
-John Groves, Program Officer, SLDA's Welcoming Communities Initiative

(709) 920-2156 | manager@redbaywhalers.ca | http://www.redbaywhalers.ca/home/

Thomas Coastal Construction Inc. is a true family business with a professional staff and a friendly crew. Working both sides of the Quebec/Labrador border, they can meet all your construction needs.

Thomas Coastal Construction Inc. can take on any job big or small, from commercial complexes to residential spaces, they have left their mark across the region. With customer satisfaction being their top priority, they take pride in their workmanship and strive to exceed your expectations at every turn.

If you're looking for some quality renovations or you want to build your dream home, call Merlin, Kerry or Jimmy for a quote at 709- 987-1013.

From basements to baseboards, sheds to shingles and everything in between, connect with
Thomas Coastal Construction Inc.
-John Groves, Program Officer, SLDA's Welcoming Communities Initiative

709-987-1013 | thomasconstruction3@hotmail.com

Agnes Pike, a successful entrepreneur and a trailblazer in community economic development in southern Labrador, is embarking on the next chapter of her life. Being an advocate and a fighter for community betterment and advancement, you may say she's hanging up her boxing gloves.

Born in L'Anse Au Diable with twelve siblings, Agnes Pike always strived for improvement, especially within herself. A young Agnes Cabot would walk and sometimes run from L'Anse Au Diable to the Catholic school in West St. Modeste, where she pursued her education as far as the times allowed in 1958.

At the age of 17, Agnes married Pat Pike and raised a family of five children over the next decade. During this period, she initiated a nursery in West St. Modeste with the support of a teacher Matthew Pike, establishing a voluntary nursery and preschool. With assistance from the government, Agnes, along with Laura Jackson and Stella Fowler, expanded this initiative to other communities in the region.

During this time, Ms. Pike began her extensive service to her community and Southern Labrador. She played key roles in organizations such as the Memorial Extension Service, the Southern Labrador Development Association (SLDA), the Zone Board (later the West St. Modeste council), and the International Grenfell Association (IGA), where she served for 21 years.

She also made significant contributions to the local fishing industry, serving as a manager and buyer for companies like H.B. Nickerson and Sons, Earle's Fisheries, and H.B. Dawe. Agnes supported her brother, Pat Cabot, in launching the Northern Fisheries in L'Anse au Loup, the first fresh fish buying establishment in Labrador. Prior to this, only dried and salted fish were traded. During her tenure at H.B. Dawe, Agnes also pioneered markets for capelin, another first for Labrador. Agnes and Pat Pike were strong advocates for what is now the Labrador Fishermen's Union Shrimp Company Ltd. (LFUSC).

Regarded as one of the province's most dedicated volunteers, Ms. Pike has been a vocal advocate on various issues, including health, education, municipal and regional development, always remaining a steadfast fighter and cherished friend to residents from L'Anse au Clair to Red Bay and beyond. In 1990, the Pike family established the Ocean View Resort in West St. Modeste. That same year, the motel and lounge opened, followed by cabins and a restaurant. The establishment provided services to travelers, tourists, salmon fishermen, and the general public, offering valuable employment opportunities after the decline of the cod fishery. In addition to her significant accomplishments in business and community service, Agnes Pike has been a council member in her hometown since 1977 and was elected mayor in 1986.

With over four decades of municipal service, Agnes has played a crucial role in supporting local businesses, enhancing major infrastructure, and advocating for development. As she prepares to sell her business in August of this year, and celebrates a milestone birthday, her energy and determination foreshadow more remarkable achievements ahead.

The Southern Labrador Development Association (SLDA) extends best wishes to Agnes for her future endeavors and expresses gratitude for decades of service.
-John Groves, Program Officer, SLDA's Welcoming Communities Initiative