Free weekend entertainment hopes to boost business in Calgary’s Kensington shopping district
Local businesses in Kensington are optimistic that free outdoor music events will provide a much-needed boost this summer to rejuvenate their livelihoods.
A little rain didn’t stop Calgarians from enjoying a performance Saturday afternoon from The Sadlier Brown Band, which helped kick off a new series of weekend pop-up performances.
Every Saturday from June to November will now feature a variety of entertainment including musicians, dancers and street artisans to encourage the support of Kensington’s shops.
Executive director of the Kensington Business Revitalization Zone (BRZ), Annie MacInnis, says each show will run from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
“We’re just trying to encourage people to start to feel safe again, to come out and experience this neighbourhood – it’s one of the living rooms of the city,” MacInnis said.
“For every dollar spent locally, that generates six dollars for the local economy and the shopping districts like Kensington are absolutely critical to the recovery of Calgary’s economy.”
MacInnis adds that Calgarians are also invited to write a love letter to the neighbourhood for a chance to win $1,000 each week in gift cards that are good to use at any business in the BRZ.
Letters can be dropped off at the orange mailbox attached to the iron rod gate near Kensington Pub.
NEW BUSINESS THRIVING
Amidst the struggles of the COVID-19 pandemic, a total of 13 businesses in Kensington had to permanently close down.
However, several new businesses have since opened up including Deville Coffee, the mini MRKT, Top Notch Cocktails & Patios and Purr Clothing, which reopened a new location on 10th Street.
Another new addition is Chunk’d Cookies by BFF Cookies, which has seen long lineups down the street and has now sold more than 10,000 cookies since opening last month.
“It’s been crazier than I ever though it was going to be,” said owner Annalie Ibarra.
“We’re working extra hours, getting more staff soon so hopefully it will be easier but it’s definitely impressive I think and surprising.”
Ibarra moved to Calgary from Venezuela seven years ago and says Calgary has offered her small business a path toward achieving her dreams.
“I love the city. I fell in love completely and I feel Calgarian for sure because this is home and I’m super happy to start a business here.”
Meanwhile, other businesses like Manana Imports & Gifts are just finally starting to get back to a sense of normalcy.
Stephen Burger has owned and operated the Kensington store for 28 years. His business brings in hand made items from 15 different countries around the world and the pandemic hit his bottom line hard.
“That’s completely stopped. There’s hardly any air freight coming out at all – flights have stopped and it’s a tragedy in a really difficult time, particularly Nepal right now,” he said.
“With the full shutdown, it was just a dramatic drop in sales.”
Luckily, he had a decent stock of merchandise in his garage and has still been able to adapt by bringing in some imported items.
The hope of more foot traffic due to free pop-up events also has him feeling more optimistic.
“It brings that vibrancy and interest back to the area, people can ride their bike, bring their kids and experience more things happening here. Local business is critical and if you want to keep independent retail alive, the only way is to support it.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.