End of an era in Kahnawake
Written by Paul Graif on 17 August 2021
After 40 years, the Caughnawaga Garage in Kahnawake is closed. The gas pumps out front are scheduled to run dry at the end of the month when JR Petroleum will fill its final tank.
Louis Rice and his brother Johnny have been at the helm for a majority of those years. He tells K1037 that he’s feeling nostalgic but is ready to move on.
“Sort of excited and sad. It’s been in the family many years,” says Louis.
Just shy of his 63rd birthday, Louis says, in the short term, he plans to take a few months off.
His sister, Barbara Rice, has held down a number of jobs at the garage over the last few decades. She says she’ll miss seeing their customers the most.
“People are sad. It’s been 40 years plus, but they say it’s time for a new chapter,” she says.
Most of the old supplies have already been sold off.
