– Now there are only eight minutes!
One of those standing at the front of the several hundred people waiting for the opening of the Sarfaarsuit Center shouts it out to the others.
– Now there are only eight minutes!
One of those standing at the front of the several hundred people waiting for the opening of the Sarfaarsuit Center shouts it out to the others.
They shout back. Excitement is building and people are impatiently waiting for the doors to open.
Among those who have secured a place at the front of the queue is Marianne Alaufesen.
– I have been standing here for an hour, she says.
She is one of the approximately 7,000 citizens in Nuuk’s Nuussuaq district and actually lives in one of the blocks right next to the new centre. She has no doubt that the new center will be an advantage for the residents of the area.
– Then those who live here will not have to go into the city. It has just been missing, says Marianne Alaufesen.
Now the moment is approaching. Pisiffik’s managing director, Per Steen Larsen, gives a speech in front of the many present.
Soon after, the blue ribbon with gold details is cut. Cheers break out and people pour into the store.
Skipped school to go to Burger King
While conditions are chaotic in front of the entrance to the supermarket, there is a bit more calm on the other side of the centre.
Here, a car holds what is Greenland’s first drive-in order. Two young men have waited a long time and are the first in line to order from Burger King.
Finally something sounds from the speaker:
– What do you want?
The two young men do not want to be interviewed, but say that they have been waiting to be able to order. They place their order and drive on to the next stop, where they have to pick up their burgers.
A few minutes later, they are handed their burgers and Oreo shakes.
There are also several young men in the queue in front of Burger King. They have skipped school to attend the opening.
They want to talk to us, but we don’t show them off. One says that he has even asked his mother for permission to skip school. He has been allowed to do that, he says.
However, there are others who would like to talk about their first visit.
One of them is the carpenter Oliver Bertelsen, who actually helped build the center himself. Therefore, the building is not completely new to him.
It has been busy getting the last things done, also this morning. But a little after 10 o’clock there is finally time for an early lunch.
Oliver Bertelsen is sitting with his colleagues and has already tasted Burger King’s menu.
– I’ve had a Double Whopper Cheese with fries and a Coke Zero. It was quite excellent.
– I under nuummiut
Inside Pisiffik’s new supermarket is also full of people.
Among them is Niels Ole Utuaq, who normally lives in Kulusuk, where there is only one shop. His flight to Kulusuk has been cancelled, and therefore he has been given the opportunity to attend the opening of the new centre.
He particularly notices how many people have turned up. In fact, there are more people at the opening than live in his settlement.
– There are many people. It’s a bit unusual for me to see.
He is also impressed by the selection in the new supermarket.
– There are many items. I understand those who live in Nuuk, the opportunities they have and that new shops are opening, says Niels Ole Utuaq.
A day of celebration for the employees
Around the shops, customers go exploring and try to find out where the various goods are.
Among those who know the center better than most is Pisiffik’s managing director, Per Steen Larsen.
It is a day that both he and many of the employees have been waiting for for a long time. But the permission to put the center into use came late. It was not until Wednesday afternoon that Pisiffik was informed that the center could open.
– Now we were only told yesterday afternoon that we could open. And that so many customers come at such short notice, it’s fantastic.
Five years have passed since the first lines were put on paper for the new centre. Therefore, the opening is also a big day for the employees.
And that should be celebrated.
– I have to do that together with my colleagues. It will hopefully be a long party all day. The party won’t stop today. Tomorrow we must also be ready for new customers, says Per Steen Larsen.
