New Iqaluit family business offers home-style takeout and convenience goods

After a decade of dreaming, Ali Mahmoud says his family's goal of opening a business in Iqaluit has been accomplished.

Hunter's Market, a convenience store and takeout restaurant, opened its doors during a soft opening this week.

Mahmoud, the 25-year-old co-owner of Hunter's Market,says he's wanted to open a business for a long time.

"I've been planning it since I was 18 with my father and my brother [Hussein], and we've been saving and working hard," he said.

"I always wanted to open a business and I always wanted to do it with my family."

Hunter's Market will offer a variety of menu items from Greek food, home-style fried chicken, poutine and pizza to grilled Arctic char. There's also a coffee room with desserts and sandwiches, said Mahmoud.

"Everything is a home-based recipe," said Mahmoud. "We tried to make the prices very fair."

Mahmoud said his father Bassam is the chef of the family.

"It's all his recipes. They're all home-style recipes. They've been in our family for well over 30 years," said Mahmoud.

Eventually, Mahmoud said the family hopes to offer country food like caribou stew on the menu once in a while.

Currently, hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., but Mahmoud said he hopes to run 24 hours in the future.

Mahmoud said the soft opening "went really well," and the community has showed great support. The grand opening date has not yet been set.