KAMSACK — Two Kamsack siblings and their partners held a “soft” opening on Feb. 10 of the two businesses that will share their space next door once renovations are completed.
The businesses are the Sibi Arts Collective operated by Amber Talbot and Denby Shingoose and the Roll’n Go Kitchen and Meats, operated by Amber’s brother Curtis Roll and his wife Melissa Roll.
“We opened early as a way to iron out any kinks, see what improvements can be made and to determine what the community might want,” Curtis Roll said a couple hours after opening the front door of a portion of the Boychuk Block, which is located at the corner of main street and First Street.
The siblings decided to rent a portion of the Boychuk Block while their building, which formerly held DC Electric and is located next door, is being renovated.
“Hopefully, within a couple months, we’ll be able to move into our building,” Denby Shingoose explained.
Shingoose and Amber Roll operate Sibi Arts Collective, a primarily gift shop featuring local artists and craftspeople.
Amber Talbot, who was instrumental in the staging of the Sunday outdoor markets on Queen Elizabeth Boulevard last summer, operates Sibi Arts Collective with her partner Denby Shingoose. | Photo by William Koreluik
Sibi means “river” in Saulteaux, Amber said, adding that she and Denby were involved in the Sunday outdoor markets held last summer on a lot immediately east of the ambulance depot on Queen Elizabeth Boulevard.
Much of the showroom contains crafts, clothing, paintings and jewelry.
“Our emphasis is on multiculturalism and much of our stock is here on consignment,” Amber said, pointing to shelves and racks containing crafts including soapstone carvings, clothing, ribbon skirts and jewelry, including Aunty Bee’s Creeations, which are made and sold by Ann Keshane of Kamsack.
“Last summer’s outdoor markets were a good start, although we would have enjoyed having additional vendors,” she said, encouraging district craftspeople and artists to consider selling their work at the store and markets.
While Denby makes jewelry, some of which is to be displayed, Amber makes and sells homemade soaps.
“I’ve been making soap for about 12 years,” Amber said. The soaps are all-natural and with no chemicals, so people with certain allergies find them much better for their skin than are commercial soaps.
Items in the store have a wide price range, from about $5 to $500, she said. There’s something for everyone.
The business also sells Rampage coffee beans, whole ground and in pods, that are roasted in Saskatchewan, Curtis said. “That’s the coffee that we serve freshly brewed at the Roll’n Go.”
Curtis operates Roll’n Go Kitchen and Meats with his wife Melissa, who is “owner/administrator” and takes care of much of the work “behind the scenes.”
Curtis Roll is the person in the kitchen and meat shop operating the Roll’n Go Kitchen and Meats which is currently located in the Boychuk Block at the corner of Main Street and First Street in Kamsack. | Photo by William Koreluik
Curtis is the force in the kitchen. He cures and makes a range of meats, including bacon, cold cuts, pepperoni and jerky, and makes and freezes a variety of foods such as lasagna, ribs, soups, marinated pork chops, pizza on naan bread and other dishes that can be taken home, heated and enjoyed.
Being served with the hot coffee on opening day were chunks of puffed wheat cake and gooey cinnamon buns. Customers also made use of a microwave oven to heat soup and other foods.
“We’re not a sit-down restaurant,” Curtis explained. “Our food is prepared and ready to eat, or frozen.
“Our maple bacon and honey loaf deli meat are popular items,” he said, explaining that once the businesses are in their permanent home, it is possible that seating will be added so that customers may enjoy a hot lunch.
Curtis Roll was pleased to see the fresh pepperoni he made for sale at the Roll’n Go Kitchen and Meats in Kamsack. | Photo courtesy Curtis Roll
“We’re thinking about some outdoor seating for the summer.”
Curtis and Melissa Roll were photographed as they promoted Rampage coffee that their business, Roll’n Go Kitchen and Meats is selling.| Photo courtesy Curtis and Melissa Roll
This soft opening will provide us with much information that can be used to enhance the businesses, he said, urging customers to make use of a suggestion box that will be placed in the store.
Amber and Curtis are the children of Debbie Cuervo and Al Roll of Kamsack; Denby is a son of Brian Severight and Debbie Shingoose of Cote First Nation, and Melissa Roll is the daughter of Grace Kostiuk, who has lived in Kamsack for the past four years.
A 1999 graduate of the Kamsack Comprehensive Institute, Amber worked with artists on Vancouver Island in British Columbia and Manitoulin Island in Ontario. Denby has travelled throughout Canada and Europe with his hockey career. While living on Manitoulin Island, Amber and Denby experienced many successful efforts toward healing in the First Nations communities and connecting the First Nations and settler communities through art and education at the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation and Kenjgewin Teg Educational Institute.
“We wanted to bring some of what we learned from there back home,” Amber explained.
Before returning to Kamsack, Curtis had worked in oil fields for 11 years, and Melissa, a Regina native, currently works as a teaching assistant at Victoria School in Kamsack.
Although after the businesses occupy their permanent building the hours of operation may be extended, currently, the building is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays.
