Village welcomes new store owners

The Village of Berwyn is pleased to welcome local business owners Patrick and Lou-Anne O’Brien, who opened Kozy Korner on June 1, 2025. Longtime Alberta residents, the O’Briens have called Berwyn home for the past six years, drawn to the area for its tight-knit community and proximity to family, hunting, and fishing.

After identifying a need for daily essentials in the village, the couple made the decision to purchase and open the local store, offering groceries, convenience items, and a variety of freshly prepared meals. In addition to grocery items, Kozy Korner features daily lunch specials, soup and sandwich options, pre-made meals, pizza, soft serve ice cream, Twisters (similar to a Blizzard), boba juice, mini donuts, and more. Their slush machine is expected to be operational this week, and a cotton candy machine is also on hand for future use. A seating area is available for those wishing to enjoy coffee or a meal on-site.

Since opening, the couple has been grateful for the warm welcome and community support.

“The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Patrick O’Brien. “We want Kozy Korner to be the community’s store, shaped by the people it serves. Our goal is to create a cozy space where everyone feels at home, whether you're a long-time resident or just passing through.”

Residents are also invited to contribute photos for a Berwyn history wall inside Kozy Korner, helping to showcase stories and memories from the community.

The O’Briens are passionate about supporting local producers and farms, sourcing beef from Jack Knife Creek Cattle Co. in Manning, chicken and vegetables from Homeland Meats in Falher, and pork from Johnny Sausage in Grimshaw. As part of their commitment to community involvement, the O’Briens are proud sponsors of the fireworks show at this year’s Berwyn Fiesta and will be offering cotton candy and other goodies during the event.

Store hours are 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekdays, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturdays, and 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sundays. The O’Briens invite community members to share suggestions on items they'd like to see carried, noting that they currently work with 11 different suppliers to meet local needs.

Longtime Village resident Norman Allen shared his thoughts as well:

“This is a real benefit to the community. They’re listening to residents, bringing in what people ask for, and doing an excellent job.”

In addition to groceries and convenience items, Kozy Korner is an approved Alberta Fish and Game licence retailer and will soon offer a selection of hunting and fishing supplies. Purolator shipping and receiving services are expected to launch by the end of this week.

Looking ahead, the O’Briens hope to expand Kozy Korner into a full-service grocery store.

This fall and winter, they also plan to begin work on a food and concession trailer for regional events, which will feature items like pizza, mini donuts, cotton candy, and hot dogs.

The O’Briens are no strangers to entrepreneurship. Patrick is the owner of P & C Earthworks Ltd., a business he has operated since 2014, providing project consulting, construction management, and equipment rentals. He has worked extensively as a construction manager and site superintendent on major pipeline projects across Alberta and British Columbia. The couple also owns three commercial lots located behind Black Swan Helicopters, with plans to open an RV storage site, set to be operational this fall.

The Village of Berwyn extends appreciation to Patrick and Lou-Anne for their service, enthusiasm, and dedication to serving the residents and visitors of the Village.

Follow Kozy Korner Store LTD on Facebook for updates!