From Highway Dreams to a Hometown Hub
With the help of CBDC Hants-Kings, Jask and Jo turned a lifelong vision into Centre Burlington Gas & Variety—a rural store and canteen serving its community with heart, hard work, and just about everything you could need.
For a decade, Jaskarnjeet Mann’s office was the cab of a transport truck. He criss-crossed North America, traversing endless miles of road and watching the changing scenery outside his windshield. In every rural town he passed, there was often a small, family-run store or gas station—the kind of place that seemed to serve as an anchor in the community.
“The city never suited me, I’m a country boy,” Jask says with a grin. “I always had it on my mind that I would run that exact type of operation somewhere in the country.”
But the opportunity took years to present itself. In 2020, Jask married Manjot (Jo), and two years later welcomed her to Canada from overseas. Long-haul trucking was no longer the life he wanted. “It’s not good for the family, always being away,” he explains, “and we wanted to have kids.”
The search for a new life began with orchards and small farms. In Western Canada, prices were steep, but a fellow driver eventually told Jask about the charming vistas and tight-knit communities of Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley. With that, Jask made the trip from West to East, sleeping in his car between meetings with realtors. Yet even after exploring the Valley, the stars weren’t aligning.
Returning to Calgary, Jask continued scanning listings from across the country until, one day, he came across the property in Centre Burlington that would soon become his, part of the Hants Shore community. “It was the place I always wanted. I couldn’t believe I found it,” he says. They leapt on the opportunity. At the time, their daughter was just one month old, and Jo was very preoccupied with the new duties of motherhood. “But she trusted me always,” says Jask, in praise of his wife, “She stood shoulder to shoulder with me—I was never left high and dry.” Both Jask and Jo are deeply grateful for their parents, who supported them through the challenges of starting a new family and building a business at the same time.
The approvals process for their envisioned business was long and costly, and after months of perseverance, they were stunned to learn their bank loan had been denied. That’s when a community member mentioned CBDC Hants-Kings. Angela Carver, CBDC Senior Business Advisor, stepped in to guide them through the challenging process, helping Jask and Jo secure the funding they needed to make their long-awaited dream a reality.
In 2024, Centre Burlington Gas & Variety opened its doors, complete with Jask and Jo’s Canteen, a food truck serving fresh meals to the community. Today, the store is stocked with just about everything—hardware, garden supplies, fishing bait, groceries, fresh produce, and even the occasional turkey pot or home car washer.
“People will tell us, ‘Jask and Jo, you have everything!’” Jask laughs. “That’s a good feeling—knowing we saved someone a trip further out.” They even deliver groceries to customers in need and take special orders whenever possible.
In just over a year, the couple has transformed the property: installing a new roof, adding coolers and freezers, expanding the parking lot fourfold, putting in a septic tank for the food truck, and tripling the store’s grocery selection.
For Jo, the move from Alberta to Nova Scotia was a leap of faith—but one worth taking. “We moved because of the dream,” she says. “That’s why we were never frustrated—we were enjoying it. People here are good, helpful, and take care of each other.”
For Jask, CBDC’s role went far beyond financing. “They’ll advocate for you,” he says, “and ask the questions you might not think to ask. CBDC Hants-Kings is here to help you—that’s for sure. I know that.”
His advice to other entrepreneurs is straightforward: “CBDC wants to see local businesses grow, and they’ll make sure no one is taking advantage of you along the way. They’ll still be there for you even after you get up and running.”
Today, Centre Burlington Gas & Variety is more than a place to fuel up or grab groceries. It’s a gathering spot, a great place to eat, a resource for rural living, and a dream brought to life.
“I never felt as connected out West in ten years as much as I feel connected to the Hants Shore community in two years,” Jask says. “We’re home now.”