A fire broke out at the beloved Sexsmith Grocery Store in the early hours of November 3rd, leading to a multi-jurisdiction response from surrounding municipalities.
According to the Town of Sexsmith, fire crews from around the county responded to the call at around 12:45 a.m., successfully bringing the blaze under control; however, while the structure still stands, community members are still feeling a sense of loss due to the facility’s status as a historical landmark in Sexsmith.
Sexsmith Mayor Kate Potter says her heart goes out to the owners of Sexsmith Grocery during this time and calls the tragedy a “huge loss for the community.”
“Everyone has stories and memories connected to that building and also to the people who have worked there over the years,” she says. “It was an iconic part of our history and this is a huge loss for the community.”
The Sexsmith Grocery Store cemented itself as a piece of history when the building was officially designated as a municipal historical resource in 2020.
The lot the current building stands on was owned by David Sexsmith, a prominent trapper, trader, and the town’s namesake in 1916 before he sold the original store and land to the Richards McNaughton Company in 1921. That same year, the company built the store Sexsmith residents know and love today.
According to fire officials, the cause of the blaze is currently under investigation by local authorities, and at this time, there is no information suggesting foul play.
