On May 3rd, Barin Beresford, owner of JP’s Petro and General Store in Granum, arrived at work to discover gasoline flooding the parking lot and flowing across the road. He quickly realized that thieves had attempted to siphon gas from the store’s tanks, but failed, and instead jammed a hose into the filling station, causing a massive spill. The damage caused by the incident cost hundreds of thousands in clean up and repairs, with the potential of the Beresfords losing their store, which has been in the family for 17 years, as a result. The insurance will cover the property damage, but not the extensive damage done to the land across the street belonging to the municipal district.
Losing the store would mean Granum loses its only source of fuel, as the nearest gas station is 20 kilometers away. Despite the devastating impact of the incident, the Beresfords are grateful that no one was hurt during the event. A group of community members has organized a fundraising event on July 1st to support the Beresfords, with all proceeds from the benefit auction going towards the cost of damage and repairs. The Granum and District Canada Day Society is hosting the auction, with the goal of assisting the Beresfords in overcoming the financial burden caused by the incident. The community recognizes the importance of the Beresfords and their store, which has been a vital part of Granum for many years.
The auction coordinator, Roy Penniket, emphasized the significant role the Beresfords have played in the community, contributing to every group and function since they’ve been in Granum. The support from the community has been overwhelming for the Beresfords, who are deeply grateful for the outpouring of support. They acknowledge the importance of the community’s backing during this difficult time. The auction will take place at the Homesteader on 406 Aberdeen Street in Granum, with the public invited to attend and contribute. Cash donations and items for the auction can be emailed to friendsofjps2024@gmail.com, and a GoFundMe page has been set up to aid the Beresfords in recovering from the incident.
The attempted robbery is still under investigation, and anyone with information is urged to contact Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477. The community of Granum is coming together to support the Beresfords and ensure that their store can continue to thrive. The incident has highlighted the resilience and unity of the community, as they rally around a local business in need. The Beresfords are overwhelmed by the generosity and solidarity shown by the community and are touched by the efforts to help them recover from the devastating incident. The support from Granum and the surrounding area is a testament to the strong bonds and sense of community that exist within the town.
