A new store brings a taste of Newfoundland to Cambridge, Ont.

A new store in Galt is giving customers a taste of Newfoundland. And as CTV’s Colton Wiens explains, it’s also bringing a community together.

A new store in the Galt area of Cambridge, Ont., is offering customers unique food items you can usually only find in Newfoundland.

Off The Rock on Oxford Street is selling different types of meat and pantry goods.

“Salt beef, salt riblets. You’ve got the frozen cod and the capelin, everything,” said Dale Skanes, a customer originally from Bell Island, Newfoundland.

The original plan was to open the store on Wednesday, but the owner, Eric Hutchings, was sitting on his stock and decided to open up early on Monday.

“Everybody has to drive out of town to pick up what they want. And sometimes it’s a bit far. Because I know it took me a while to get to where I was going to get some product, so I decided, why are we all leaving town? Let’s just stay here. Put a Newfy store back here, so that’s what I did,” Hutchings said.

Hutchings was born in Bell Island, Newfoundland. He’s lived in Cambridge for 19 years and said Newfoundlanders in the region have been struggling to find the products they love ever since Stoyles Food Market closed.

“Hard to get would be the Cheetos Nachos, (Lays) Fries and Gravy. All the Purity stuff. I mean, it all comes from St. John’s, Newfoundland or Mount Pearl. Beets and pickles and stuff, that all the Newfoundlanders love. It’s all from St. John’s, so, I mean, they have to travel out of town to get it now, but we can get it. We’ll stock it up and we’ll do the best to have it here all the time,” Hutchings said.

Hutchings said one item that’s already hard to keep in stock is pineapple flavoured Crush pop.

“. It sold out first day. Sold out yesterday. And it’s sold out again today. And now I can’t find any more anywhere around here. So I’m hoping that when the truck comes next week that it will be lots on there,” Hutchings said.

Hutchings is taking requests from customers wanting certain items.

“I’m adding probably $0.50 to some things. I’m not making a whole lot off it, but I have to make something. Otherwise, why am I doing it right? I have to sell a lot of stock in order to make anything. So I’m not really in it to get rich. I’m just trying to provide for local people, local seniors and stuff that can’t travel or whatever the case may be. So it’s all in one place,” Hutchings said.

Customers at the store on Wednesday said while it’s already a source for them to get some of the items that are hard to find.

“There’s certain items, like the Purity’s and the fresh cod and fresh seafood and stuff like that. Hopefully they’ll reach out to more than just the Newfoundlanders with all these great products,” said Jackie, a customer originally from Bell Island.

The store is also already becoming a source for finding other people.

“We miss Stoyles, you know they closed up a few years ago. So this brings the culture and the heritage back. People are meeting, seeing each other that we haven’t seen forever. I went to school with Janet, who is right there. I know Eric’s mom and dad from Bell Island. It’s just fabulous. We’re so excited. All of us. The whole Newfoundland community,” Jackie said.

Hutchings said it’s been a busy first week. At one point there were about 40 people in his store.

“And it’s such a small place. And, you know, it’s not even about the products or selling the products or the money. For me, it’s seeing all the people that come together. They’re talking to each other, and they meet old time friends and family. Like I met some family I never even knew I had this last couple days. And It’s crazy to see that,” Hutchings said.

Hutchings also does have another full-time job and he’s going on vacation next week, so he wanted to get the rush of first-time customers out of the way so his employee next week isn’t overwhelmed.

A grand opening is being planned for September. Hutchings is also thinking about expanding to offer things like fish and chips, burgers and ice cream. But until it expands, the current setup already has customers feeling best kind.

“Next week I’ll be coming back. When I come to pick my mom up. We’re coming back to buy some more,” Skanes said.