February has been a big month for new businesses in High River.

Colossi's reopened downtown.

A new pharmacy opened their doors, the Dollarama got up and running, and now the new Mac's and Esso location has opened for business along Centre Street in the Northwest part of town.

Owner Vivi Ahmed says he can't get over the sheer size of the store.

"Yes, it's a big store. Standing at the counter I see the other end of the store and my first impression was, oh, this is miles away. It's a big store!"

From end to end the new Mac's store in High River is nearly 100' long. Photo - Russell Skeet.

Ahmed says this store is part of a High River family affair.

"The other Mac's (5th Street location), the smaller one is run by my dad. So it's all in the family right now. And definitely for this one we we're excited because of the kind of layout they have in the store. And the new stores Mac's started to make were huge. And they wanted to compete with other businesses around. I think we have a lot to offer to the community here."

He says one big feature will be the fact the gas bar is open 24-hours, something High River has never had.

Ahmed says they're still looking for staff to fill their last few positions, and anyone interested can just drop by to apply.

The new Mac's store and Esso gas bar in Northwest High River boats 10 pumps which the owners say will be accessible 24-hours a day. Photo - Russell Skeet.

Even more businesses are expected to open in the weeks and months ahead.

In particular the new "Fly's Etc" on Centre Street is expected to open in the next month, while "Eyes 360" is busy building their new location on Centre Street as well.

The new store has a bank of half a dozen Froster machines. Photo - Russell Skeet.

"This ain't your daddy's gas station coffee!" The new store has a pretty impressive self serve coffee bar the owners say they need to compete with the nearby Tim Horton's. Photo - Russell Skeet.