(Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Community support

Sask. residents encouraged to shop local

May 1, 2020 | 4:00 PM

The Government of Saskatchewan has announced it is providing $1 million to support a province-wide marketing campaign to encourage Saskatchewan residents to support local businesses and their employees.

For Prince Albert employers like Brian Middlebrook, the announcement is welcomed news.

Middlebrook, who owns and operates Carpet World, told paNOW his business took a direct hit as a result of COVID-19.

“We do a lot of in-home stuff, whether it’s estimates or installs, and of course people don’t want us in their house right now. We don’t necessarily want to be going into some peoples’ houses as well,” he said.

“I believe our community’s sustainability starts with shopping local,” _{– Sharon Faul}

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On the plus side, Middlebrook said with more people staying at home, they’ve had a lot more time to think about home renovations including decor. Middlebrook explained one major benefit to people shopping local is the money stays in the community.

“[The businesses] support a lot of extra activities and local charities. We wouldn’t be able to do that if we weren’t getting support from local patrons,” he said.

A sign posted in a store window at Cornerstone. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

According to a press release from the provincial government, the funding will be provided to the Regina and District Chamber of Commerce, who in turn will work with other regional chambers across the province to expand its successful “Together We Stand” campaign. One of the goals of the campaign is to encourage consumers to continue supporting local businesses through non-traditional options.

A number of the tenants at the Gateway Mall remain closed to walk-in traffic, but have found other ways to keep running through online orders and curbside pick up. Mall General Manager Sharon Faul explained shopping locally helps keep friends, family and neighbours employed.

“I believe our community’s sustainability starts with shopping local,” she said, adding for many of the tenants at the mall, their business is their only source of income.

“COVID-19 was very hard on a lot of the local folks as opposed to a national tenant who has supports in place for employees across the country,” she said.

According to a survey done last summer by the Prince Albert and District Chamber of Commerce, a significant number of respondents indicated they shop outside the city.

“We need to learn what we have got in our community, and learn that we need to support [the businesses] so that our businesses can support our groups and organizations,” Chamber CEO Elise Hildebrandt told paNOW.

Hildebrandt explained while the COVID-19 pandemic presented a number of challenges for local businesses, it has also presented some unique opportunities for owners to consider online shops. Hildebrandt cited a number of businesses including Dr. Java’s, Calypso Bay and Ted Matheson’s Menswear who have posted menus and products on social media.

“Our community is definitely adapting and now we as the residents also need to adapt,” she said.

—

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell