A Store Built by Family
From humble beginnings to a thriving family business — serving St. Lunaire-Griquet since 1959
Humble Beginnings
When Graham Burden opened Burden's General Store in 1959, his vision was both simple and profound: to create a business that would support his family and allow them to stay in the community they cherished. He and his wife Valma started with a meager budget of just $1,500, working side by side in a tiny building known as “the bunkhouse” — measuring just 10 feet by 20 feet.
Their partnership wasn't just in business, but in life. Initially the only two working in the store, they handled every aspect of the operation themselves — serving their neighbours and building something lasting for future generations.
Eventually, the store relocated to a larger building, which provided a more convenient location and a greater selection of goods. As their children got older, they joined their parents and began contributing in a variety of ways, transforming the business into the family enterprise we know today.
- The “Bunkhouse”
- 10 ft × 20 ft
- Starting Budget
- $1,500
- Founding Team
- Graham & Valma
Sixty-five years and counting
1959
The store opens
Graham and Valma Burden open the store in a 10 × 20 ft “bunkhouse” with a $1,500 budget.
1960s–70s
A bigger home
The store relocates to a larger building with a more convenient location and a greater selection of goods.
2011
Orgill partnership
Burden's partners with Orgill, and the business has grown every year since.
Today
Nine children, one store
All nine of Graham's children work together in the family business, serving roughly 5,000 residents of Northern Newfoundland.
Family Legacy: Teamwork Defined
All nine children working together
Today, what makes Burden's General Store truly special is that all nine of Graham's children work together in the family business. This unity creates a family bond that directly translates to the exceptional, personal service our customers experience.
Serving a community of approximately 5,000 residents in Northern Newfoundland, we provide everything from daily groceries to specialized building supplies, ensuring our neighbours have access to quality products close to home.
What you see in the photo above isn't just a family business — it's a living example of how shared values, mutual respect, and dedication to community can create something truly extraordinary. Each family member brings their unique strengths while working toward the common goal of serving our community with excellence.
Family Commitment
A rare achievement in family business — every family member actively contributes to our store's daily operations and success.
Community Recognition
Our commitment to exceptional service has earned us loyal customers and referrals across the Great Northern Peninsula.
Growing Success
Since 2011, we've been partnered with Orgill, and our business has grown each year since then. This partnership has helped us enhance our position in the marketplace.
Our Business Philosophy
What sets us apart in an increasingly competitive market
Serving Every Customer
Every day, more contractors choose us because of our reliable inventory, knowledgeable staff, and problem-solving approach. We serve both professional contractors and DIY customers with equal dedication.
Our business continues to thrive because everyone enjoys what they do, and we approach every challenge together.
Personal Touch & Quality
To remain competitive, we continue to focus on what we can offer our customers - great products, great service - even small things like flexibility on delivery times for customers.
We believe the service provided by an independent business is much better than big box stores, and our growing customer base proves it.