Whitehorse Daily Star

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Photo by Vince Fedoroff

A BIG PROBLEM – City crews work last Friday afternoon to repair the broken water main near the Farmer Robert’s store off Waterfront Place.

Help has ‘lifted our spirits out of the mud’

Robert Ryan is welcoming customers back into his Farmer Robert’s store today.

By Stephanie Waddell on February 21, 2018

Robert Ryan is welcoming customers back into his Farmer Robert’s store today.

He’s doing so more than a week after water gushed out of a broken water main along Waterfront Place and emerged beneath the store, shifting concrete and making it impossible to open the doors.

“Structurally, everything’s sound,” Ryan said, praising the staff of Winmar Whitehorse property restoration specialists for their work at the store.

The concrete that had shifted around the front doors, making them impossible to open, was jackhammered. A temporary ramp was then installed to allow customers to come in.

There will have to be a geotechnical engineering report to look at the ground around the store, likely after the spring thaw, Ryan said.

At this point though, the building is structurally safe for customers to enter, and Ryan said he’s looking forward to seeing them today.

He said he was “highly relieved” when the building was deemed safe to reopen. With products being kept off the floor, most items were not damaged.

He also continued to express his gratitude for all the support he’s received from the Whitehorse community following the flood.

Business neighbours were quick to help out with providing space to Ryan as well as allowing his eggs to be sold in their stores.

Customers have also posted numerous messages of support online, asking how they can assist.

While the flood has caused very unexpected issues, Ryan said, the sense of community and support has “lifted our spirits right out of the mud.”

He also noted the store will be offering 20 per cent off most products. A “buy one get one half off” sale will be in place for eggs.

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