The Big Eddy Market, a long-time fixture of life in that part of Revelstoke, is undergoing a major face-lift that not only renovates it, but modernizes important aspects of its operation, especially its vehicle fuel sales. "I needed to change the pumps and what started out a little project is now a big project," says its owner Vince Sessa. David F. Rooney photo
By David F. Rooney
The Big Eddy Market, a long-time fixture of life in that part of Revelstoke, is undergoing a major face-lift that not only renovates it, but modernizes important aspects of its operation, especially its vehicle fuel sales.
“I needed to change the pumps and what started out as a little project is now a big project,” says its owner Vince Sessa.
As anyone who has purchased fuel in the Big Eddy knows, the market never made the switch to expensive, automated in-pump payment systems that you now see everywhere you go. Until last week, when Vince shut down the pumps and had the fuel tanks dug up and hauled away, people would — just as they had for decades — drive up to the pumps, fill their tanks and then go inside and pay Vince or Patty.
All that is gone now. Although there was virtually no leakage from the underground tanks, they have now been replaced by big, new aboveground tanks installed by Middleton Fuel Systems of Kamloops. And that’s not all. The market itself has a new storey, built by Peter Bernacki’s Nu-trend Construction Ltd.
“There are living quarters above the store and we’ll be making some upgrades in the store, too,” Vince said.
This is the second new look to the Big Eddy Market in almost 30 years.
Sessa said that when he bought it in 1982 it was “pretty rough.”
“We tore it down in 1985 and rebuilt it,” he said.
Until now the store-cum-cafe-and-gas-station has had a kind of alpinesque beam-and-stucco look. Its new exterior appearance is much more contemporary with dark, slate-coloured siding, white trim and the flat roof characteristic of Bernacki’s work.
Vince says he’ll be upgrading the interior of the store and the cafe but didn’t go into detail. That’s okay. Everyone will be able to see the changes he has made when he holds his grand opening this autumn.
Until then, you’ll just have to drive by and see the changes for yourselves or inspect the photos below:
When Vince Sessa bought the Big Eddy Market in 1982 it was, he said "a wreck." He renovated it in 1985 and now, 25 years later he had built a second storey and is in the process of giving the once-tired-looking structure a thorough facelift. The artist's conception in his hands gives you a pretty good idea of how it will look when it is finished this autumn. David F. Rooney photoHector Scarcelli dropped by the Big Eddy Market on Thursday and, when he saw workers trudging in with mud on their boots, decided he'd give business owner Vince Sessa a hand by hosing down the pad outside. David F. Rooney photoPeter Bernacki, owner of Nu-trend Construction talks about the construction and joists used in the roof over the pumps at the Big Eddy Market. David F. Rooney photoPete McAstocker drives in a some nails from atop a scaffold beneath the roof. David F. Rooney photo.Now THAT"S a fuel tank. And an above ground one, at that. The old underground tanks were dug out last week, temporarily depriving Big Eddy residents of a neighbourhood fuel source many patronize. Sessa said he wanted a new modern tank that would not slowly corrode away underground, possibly leading to a serious contamination problem. He got his wish with this baby, installed by Middleton Petroleum Services of Kamloops. Here Jesse Gustafson (left) works on a pipe while AJ Lockwood (center) talks with the boss, Stu Middleton. Middleton, incidentally, has a major connection with Revelstoke. He played for the Grizzlies about a decade ago. David F. Rooney photoBrand new pumps await. Two weeks ago you could simple fill up your tank and then go in and pay. Not any more. These ones won't function without authorization from the cashier. David F. Rooney photoAnd here's the first load of fuel for the new tank, delivered courtesy of Big Eddy Fuel Services. All the new fuel system needs is a first customer to break it in. David F. RooneyAnd here's that first customer! Peter Bernacki fills up his tank as he talks with Pat Mckinnon and Vince Sessa. David F. Rooney
