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Crowsnest Pass
Herald
Vol. 94 No. 39
October 16, 2024 $1.25
Serving our communities since 1930
Beware - You May Get ‘Ducked’
Lisa Sygutek photo
Pass Herald owner Lisa Sygutek got ‘Ducked’ last Saturday. The playful blowups are a quirky ducking initiative, which involves placing inflatable ducks on people’s lawns and has become a fun and unique way to raise funds for the society’s programs supporting individuals with disabilities. See full story on page 2.
8 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Why supporting local small businesses matters The holiday season is a time of year when shopping takes center stage. While online giants and big box retailers seem to be everywhere, offering an endless array of products with the convenience of low prices, small businesses provide a range of benefits that go far beyond the ease of a mouse click or mountains of merchandise. Shopping local retailers is more than just a transaction — it is crucial for maintaining the economic foundation of local communities. Let’s take a look at the many ways it pays to shop small businesses during the holidays and all year long. • Strengthen the local economy: A large percentage of the money spent at small businesses stays in the community. That’s because these businesses often are owned and operated by local residents who are invested in the community themselves. Various studies indicate that for every $100 spent at a small business, roughly $70 stays in the community. • Enhanced customer service: Owners and employees of small businesses have a keen interest in keeping customers happy. They often do so by providing superior customer service. Tailoring recommendations, exhibiting a willingness to accommodate special requests, offering a more engaging shopping experience, and being more friendly and connected with regular customers sets many small businesses apart. • Support the community: Small businesses serve the community through the products and services they offer, and many give back in other ways as well. Small, locally owned businesses often sponsor schools, sports teams and charities. This helps foster a sense of belonging in the community. • Innovative offerings: Small businesses are not beholden to corporate policies or franchise restrictions, so they can more readily bring new life to existing ideas and trends. Small businesses can offer customers different options that larger retailers cannot match. • Job creation: Small businesses employ a significant percentage of the workforce and frequently provide jobs that might not be available in larger corporate
October 20 ~ 26, 2024 settings. The U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy says small businesses have generated 12.9 million net new jobs over the past 25 years, accounting for two out of every three jobs added to the U.S. economy. Keeping residents working helps strengthen local communities. There are numerous benefits to shopping at small businesses this Small Business Saturday and throughout the year. Such firms help to establish a more resilient, diverse and bustling local community.
Small Businesses in Crowsnest Pass contribute 16% of Local Tax Revenue
BOOST OUR COMMUNITY!
LET’S SUPPORT
SMALL BUSINESSES
Chelsae Petrovic
MLA Livingstone-Macleod
CONSTITUENCY OFFICE 4927 1st Street West, Claresholm, AB T0L 0T0 Livingstone.Macleod@assembly.ab.ca | 587-424-2004
WWW.CHELSAEPETROVIC.COM
Wednesday, October 16, 2023 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - 9
The Pass Herald would like to thank all its advertisers and readers for the past 94 years. Subscriptions are strong, advertiers are loyal and we look forward to another 94 years here in the Crowsnest Pass!
We all shop local, we all win!
How to cut back on your big box shopping habit Big box retailers are ubiquitous. The appeal of such stores’ extensive inventory is undeniable, and consumers like the comfort of knowing they can stop into a big box store anywhere on the map and feel a sense of familiarity with their surroundings. Despite that feeling of familiarity, consumers who shop exclusively at big box retailers are missing out on what small businesses have to offer. Though it may be impossible to avoid big box retailers entirely, now is a great time to see what small businesses have to offer. Here’s a few ways consumers can reduce their reliance on big box retailers. Start gradually A gradual separation from big box retailers will likely prove easier than quitting cold turkey. Try replacing one big box trip each week with a visit to a locally owned
Celebrating 16 Years in Business
small business. Brand loyalty to a local business can be built up from there. Take steps to become a more active community consumer Serving on a community’s commerce commission or a similar agency helps consumers learn about the small businesses that are coming to town or already established. A greater awareness of shopping options could mean a greater propensity for stopping in and shopping these stores rather than the chain alternatives. Increase in-person shopping It’s tempting to simply shop online and order something from one of the national chains that can afford to ship items straight to your home. However, small retailers tend to have more unique offerings and boast pleasant shopping experiences. Plus, in-person shopping allows consumers to get a real feel for a product, which can save them the time and effort it takes to return things that don’t fit or aren’t quite right. Many small businesses now offer their own e-commerce options, where a shopper can buy an item online and then pick it up in the store or curbside to save time. Consumers have grown accustomed to shopping at big box retailers. But kicking that habit and patronizing small local businesses can benefit consumers and communities alike.
This past year has been exceptionally busy for us as we worked to meet the increasing demand for rental properties by expanding our portfolio. We proudly offer newer and renovated homes for rent from Crowsnest Pass to the MD of Willow Creek, enriching the charm of Southern Alberta’s mountain communities, quaint towns, hamlets, and rural landscapes. Our expansion into the MD of Willow Creek has been an exciting journey and well received as we provided corporate sponsorship and participated in significant events—such as Fort Macleod’s largest Santa parade in Western Canada, and Granum’s July 1st biggest fireworks display outside urban areas—we celebrate the magic of our small towns achieving big things in Southern Alberta. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our property owners; our success is built on your dedication and pride in your properties, as well as your prompt attention to necessary repairs. A special thank you goes to our contractors and tradespeople for their swift responses to our requests. Lastly, we appreciate our amazing tenants, who care for their homes and yards with pride. In this competitive rental market, we are committed to meeting your rental needs. If you don’t see your ideal property on our website now, don’t be discouraged! We have effective strategies to manage turnovers in our current rental portfolio and are actively taking on new properties to meet the high demand for affordable rental accommodations. We are pleased with our ongoing sponsorship of Healthy Teens Magazine, a valuable resource provided at no cost to local schools. We believe that nurturing drug-free adolescents is essential for building a stronger community. We were thrilled to be declared a finalist for the Alberta Chamber of Commerce Community Attraction Award. It was an honor to be selected among so many outstanding companies throughout the province. Property Owners: If you’re interested in joining our team, we invite you to connect with us. Prospective Tenants: If you’re seeking rental opportunities, we welcome you to reach out. www.cnp-pm.com