Fire engulfs Salisbury’s lone grocery store, leaving residents scrambling; town officials plan support and alternative shopping solutions.
Salisbury Faces Major Loss as Fire Destroys Grocery Store
Historic Main Street Business Lost
Early Sunday morning, the only grocery store in Salisbury, N.B., Walker’s Your Independent Grocer, was destroyed by a devastating fire. Mayor Robert Campbell confirmed he received the first calls around 6:30 a.m. and described the loss as “pretty devastating” for the tight-knit community. The store, which has operated since the early 1980s, employed more than 40 people and served as a daily shopping lifeline for many residents.
Community Shock and Impact
Residents watched in disbelief as flames engulfed the Main Street building. Avonelle Crosby, who lives across the street, recalled waking to the sound of sirens and witnessing a heavy emergency response. “The place was so full of police and firefighters … and a lot of sightseers, too,” she said, adding that she knew almost everyone who worked there, some since her own school days.
Emergency Response Efforts
Multiple fire departments responded to the blaze, including crews from Salisbury, Petitcodiac, Moncton, Dieppe, Riverview, Havelock, and Elgin, according to town CAO Austin Henderson. The building housed not only the grocery store but also an insurance office and a dollar store. While the full extent of the fire’s impact on the other businesses remains unclear, photos show the grocery store section was completely destroyed.
Town Mobilizes Support for Residents
Mayor Campbell expressed confidence that Salisbury can recover from the setback and emphasized the town’s efforts to assist residents in accessing groceries. Discussions are underway regarding possible support measures, such as shuttle services to nearby stores. “We were on the call this morning and started chatting about ways that we can try to help them,” Campbell said. The nearest grocery option is Foodland in Petitcodiac.
Community Resilience
Though the fire has disrupted daily life, town officials and residents alike are determined to support one another during this difficult period. The loss of Walker’s Your Independent Grocer underscores the vital role small businesses play in rural communities, both economically and socially.
