Trails North Car & Truck Stop has been an institution on the Alaska Highway for more than 40 years. The place is as real as you can find it these days.
Meals in the restaurant made from scratch, the best breakfasts all day long in town, the burgers can't be beat... full service gas station, small and spotless motel rooms... oh and a thriving cold beer, ciders and wine store with confectionary... Did I mention the community that transcends any boundary? Professional truck drivers, lawyers, travelers, construction workers, 86 year old semi-retired mechanics, 20 year olds out on a date, bureaucrats, canoers, hikers, people who come together for a coffee and a game of lottery... this place housed it all.
On June 30th this special place closed the doors, at least temporarily. After trying to sell, the owners of this thriving, small, family business had to look after what they have come to realize beats out the financial bottom line: their health.
Being in business-for-self all their lives, having cellular 'work hard and endless' in their DNA, age and illness have found the front row at the show. Bravely Mom and Dad stuck to the family decision made several weeks ago. The line in the sand stood as the boundary: June 30th was to be the day of transition - either the business sold or the doors closed. It was hard to follow through with knowing how many people this decisions affects: people who work at Trails, people who supply it with groceries and fue, and the people who bring it to life each day: the long-time loyal patrons.
Unfortunately for now, regulars will have to find another place to visit daily to fuel their social, petroleum, culinary, or sleeping needs.
The highlight though is that it is for sale. Several staff stayed on to look after some details. Since closing the inventory (food, alcohol, alcohol) has been returned or sold. The physical space has undergone a thorough cleaning from top to bottom. It is always very clean, but it is REALLY spic and span and is ready to go again once the new owners are located.
Here are some brief pics taken in the hour after closing. Things that might not be captured again that are pretty simple, but for example the big yellow creamer bowl that holds cream overnight is part of old routine that will be missed.
I will take some more pictures in the coming days that provide a better description of the 'friend' and post them.