As the Christmas season unfolds, Moose Jaw Express/MooseJawToday.com has asked several small local businesses about the amount of support they’ve received this year.
Jessica Watson is the owner of With Intent Bodypiercing. “It’s a slow start, but things are picking up,” she said. “I think it’s because of the weather though. It doesn’t seem like Christmas – it’s gorgeous.”
“We’re very lucky to have the support of the community. We always brag about how good our customers are,” said Watson. “We support local, and we ask people to support local.” Some of her local recommendations include Mitny Refillery, 4 Plants Indoor Gardening Supply, and DDK Pets.
Laurie Hysuick is the owner of Mitny Refillery. She’s been in business for around six months and doesn’t have a year over year comparison. “I find (business) has been going good… I do have a great group of regulars that come in for the refills.”
“Even Purolator, those drivers (who I’ve spoken with), are saying that, for a couple years while there was COVID… it was online, online. (The drivers I spoke with) said this year volumes are down, and people are shopping more locally,” Hysuick said.
Danielle Mercer is a sales representative at Rings & Things. She said that, in her experience, business has remained steady from throughout the summer with a bit of a drop in the fall.
“Especially as the Christmas season has picked up, I’ve noticed a lot of people, even in my family… try and stay local before they head off to the malls in Regina and that,” said Mercer. “People try local first. That’s what I’ve found.”
John Iatridis is the owner of The Mad Greek restaurant. “(Business has) been good. We’re probably right around the same (volume), maybe even a little better (than this time last year),” he said. Starting in November, many local businesses reach out to The Mad Greek for catering, and this hasn’t changed.
Iatridis said he shops local to buy Christmas gifts for his staff. “If it can be bought in the city, we’ll buy it in the city,” he said. “I say it all the time – these are the same people you go and ask to sponsor your kid’s ball team, or whatever it might be.”
Rick Klein is the owner of Clothes Encounter. “Compared to most years, (this year) is a lot quieter than normal. We’re not sure if it’s the economy, weather, or whatever,” he said. “This has probably been… the quietest I’ve seen it in probably 40 years of business.”
Klein said traffic picks up during downtown events, but the trend is moving toward tourist shoppers. “We’ve seen a lot of traffic from that. I would rather see a few more locals in the mix.”
Several small, local businesses have reported a trend towards mutual support.
“A lot of the small businesses this year have seemed to be working together. We’re having little contests (and) promoting each other. This is amazing because it hasn’t always been that way,” said Gayle McNicol, Jessica Watson’s mother. “…You buy here, and you’ll save 10 per cent there, that sort of thing.”
A few local gift ideas include bath bombs and salts from With Intent Bodypiercing, custom bath soaks made in-house at Mitny Refillery, and non-tarnishing jewelry from Rings & Things. “Anything that’s a pamper yourself gift is perfect, in my opinion,” Watson said.
Rings & Things stocks an assortment of clothing. “(Our) socks are super popular, super funny, and make great gifts,” Mercer said. UGGs are a hot commodity this year, and Clothes Encounter has been proactive in keeping the hard-to-find product on the shelf. “It’s the hottest thing on the planet,” Klein said about the popular footwear.
A meal, gift certificate, or staff party is another great idea. Iatridis said some of the best-selling items on The Mad Greek’s menu include boneless dry ribs, pizzas, and chicken souvlaki.
“All these places (employ) people we know…,” Iatridis said. “I know it’s easy to get on your computer, but honestly that kills the Christmas spirit for me. Half the fun is going out and looking for stuff…”
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