FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1983
MEET THE GEIERS
The Geier family originated from Cranbrook before splintering off and carving out paths of their own.
This is Wilf and his mother, May.
Lured by the promise of untold opportunity, Wilf arrived in Terrace in the early 1970s to work in the logging industry.
He was an intrepid soul born of the freedom that comes with being the second born. Even when a vehicle accident in June of 1977 left Wilf a quadriplegic, he never lost his spirited appetite.
May was generous with the steadfast patience of an exceptional mother and willfulness of her own. Back in those days, the trip to town was long and hazardous. She knew that Rosswood needed a store, and Wilf, now bound to a wheelchair, needed something to keep his mind at bay.
It wasn’t long before she convinced Wilf to join her in an enterprising new venture.
STARTING A BUSINESS
In 1983 this skillful pair started the Rosswood General Store.
The new store filled an important need and provided a kind of freedom that bolstered community life.
It quickly became a central gathering place where you were sure to be met with friendly banter and could find literally anything and everything you could possibly need.
For the next three decades the Rosswood General Store served up a time-honoured tradition steeped in straightforward values and neighbourly bonds.
Wilf passed away in August 2010 and is well remembered for his crafty character.
May died peacefully in 2022 having lived a full and hearty life.
The building that now houses the Rosswood General Store originally served as an Officer’s Mess in Terrace during World War II. After the war it was used as a private home and then later housed the Salvation Army Thrift Store before being bought by Wilf Geier in 1983 for one dollar (the equivalent of $2.75 today). He moved the building to Rosswood by cutting it in half and trailering it down the old logging road along the west shore of Kalum Lake which was quite the task!
THE NEXT GENERATION
Securing the family legacy, Clarke Hanna (Wilf's nephew-in-law) bought the Rosswood General Store in 2012 and took over the business. He brings fresh ideas and an equally adventurous palate.
The store has evolved some since those early days. Significant renovations in 2016 helped to rework the interior space and provide new offerings. That said, the central tenet remains the same.
Still random in its approach, you will find a uniquely curated assortment of things from international specialty foods to gluten-free and vegan options and even the latest TikTok trends.
And, of course, you can still join in some friendly conversation with the old-timers on the porch and catch up on the latest hearsay.
The Rosswood General Store is a great place to discover new finds, meet up with friends, make your bladder gladder, and check your messages en-route because, well, we still don’t have cell reception.
So take a drive up the Nisga’a Highway and come visit us. You’ll be pleasantly surprised!