At the end of the road, Highway 101 on the northern Sunshine Coast, in the heart of the traditional territory of the Tla’amin, Klahoose and Homalco First Nations, sits the seaside village of Klah Ah Men (Lund). For many, the town is a launching point to places such as Savary Island, Desolation Sound and the Copeland Islands.
The Stockpile Market at Klah Ah Men is one of those places that has everything for everyone, including camping and fishing supplies, fuel, in-house-made snacks, coffee, gifts, and cold beer and wine.
Operations manager Laurel Beaton is most likely one the hardest working people in town, managing the market and the Lund Resort at Klah Ah Men, and is also a server at the 101 Bar and Grill.
"We are extremely busy, and managing the store, moorage, gas and parking is a big job," explains Beaton. "We make fresh sandwiches and eggers and soup, lasagna, whatever is easy to grab and go for people to go on their boats or for wherever they are headed."
Beaton says staff make food fresh every day. A cafe and seating lounge has a view of Lund Harbour.
"We have a variety of grocery and fishing supplies, a fully stocked liquor store with wine, beer and all the spirits; we have novelty things, too, and a gift store," adds Beaton. "We have a lot of Indigenous artwork that comes through here, which is great. We also have clothing, bags, bowls and cups."
The Stock Pile Market sits separately below the hotel and restaurant, but all three businesses are owned by Tla'amin Nation. Beaton moved to Lund in 2014, is still in love with the area and enjoys her job as an operations manager. In her off time, she likes to kayak and bike.
"I'm usually on the go by seven in the morning; I check to see if everybody shows up for work and everything is running in the store," says Beaton. "I also deal with the housekeepers, front-desk clerks, and I work in the pub as a server, which I love to do."
Beaton says her day usually ends around 11 pm.
"I love it here," she adds. "My daughter moved here about 11 years ago, and we just kind of followed her."
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