Page 55 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 131

www.sportsenergynews.com Issue #131 December 2023 55

The Energy Local Business Pr ofile:
The Energy Local Business Profile:

Akwesasne Duty Fr
ee
Akwesasne Duty Free

By Victoria Klassen

kwesasne Duty Free is approaching its
Athird year in business. The inspiration
for the business began during the Covid-19
pandemic in 2020.
“I, like many others, fell victim to the various
lay-offs that occurred for social distancing
and Covid-19 restrictions in offices,” shared
Myan, the sole-proprietor and license holder
for Akwesasne Duty Free on Cornwall Island.
“My family and I began taking inventory
of the kind of life that we would like post-
Covid. We grew tired of the unpredictability
of new restrictions that could jeopardize our
employment, so we boldly pursued self-
employment.”
After doing some research on the businesses
in the area, they applied for a tobacco license
with the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne.
Akwesasne Duty Free officially opened in
early March of 2021.
“Our focus was to grow organically and
provide a vast selection of tobacco products
at competitive prices. We have since
evolved into supplying various tobacco and
nicotine products, tobacco-less products and
accessories, we have expanded into providing
daily lunches for the local lunch rush that
happens on Cornwall Island, and expanded our
convenience store products like energy drinks,
basic household items, and even wild game
like venison, moose, smoked sturgeon, and
walleye,” said Myan. Photo Submitted
Akwesasne Duty Free has been a strong with our revenue and predicted that we would the Indigenous Games.”
supporter of the community since the start. continue to grow, we started sponsoring Akwesasne Duty Free has grown over the
“Before we even began generating any profit, local sports teams and individuals pursuing years, now with twelve full-time staff. Keep an
we were already contributing a portion of our competitive endeavours. We have sponsored eye out in the spring for a customer appreciation
sales each month to the Akwesasne Freedom teams within Akwesasne Minor Lacrosse, event to celebrate three years in business.
School, which provides a full Mohawk the Akwesasne Jr. B Thunder, the Cornwall Akwesasne Duty Free is located at 341 Island
Prowlers, the Akwesasne Wild, charitable
Immersion curriculum for elementary students,” fishing tournaments, and individuals travelling Road, on Cornwall Island. Myan can be reached
shared Myan. “Once we felt more comfortable
for lacrosse provincials, Presidents Cup, and at 1-613-932-2888 for those with questions.