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Edmonton now has an official small business week after a proclamation by the mayor.
At a small kickoff event on Tuesday at the Makers Keep on 124 Street, the City of Edmonton officially declared Oct. 20-26 small business week in Edmonton. Mayor Amarjeet Sohi and deputy city manager Kim Petrin spoke at the launch of the campaign, which the city hopes will encourage more Edmontonians to consider shopping locally as the holiday season nears.
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“Edmonton is a place that embraces the entrepreneurial spirit, where ideas take off. That is why, when you’re doing your holiday shopping, local business are the best places to find meaningful gifts for everyone on your list,” said Sohi.
Sohi said that it is important for local leaders to support the small business community in a formal way to highlight the importance of their role in communities and the economy. He said they offer options to community members while actively contributing to the betterment of the city through property taxes.
“Small businesses are the drivers of our economy and prosperity and, as leaders, it is important that we recognize weeks like this and show our support to our business community, that we care for them, that we have their back,” said Sohi.
Of the city’s roughly 33,500 businesses, Sohi said small businesses make up 95 per cent of the city’s business community.
Part of the announcement was highlighting the impact that small businesses have on the local economy. Petrin said that an average of $63 out of every $100 spent at a local small business remains in the local economy.
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“I know how easy it can be to hop online and have something sent to your door but it is important that as consumers we take the time to shop at our local businesses in Edmonton,” said Petrin.
“Whether it’s buying a gift from a shop down the street, recommending a favourite restaurant to a coworker or showing your favourite business some love on social media, every little action can have a big impact,” she said.
The shop local campaign is meant to encourage residents to help local entrepreneurs by selecting Edmonton businesses to do their shopping. Stony Plain Road and Area Business Association executive director Todd Janes said the impact of small consumer choices can be profound on a business and the communities around them.
“When we stimulate local economies, we stimulate vibrant communities, we have more street traffic. We have more people on the streets, we have more people enjoying our infrastructure,” he said.
Janes said that supporting local businesses can help consumers play a role in shaping their community.
“You, as a consumer, have the ability to curate the neighbourhood you want to live in. And that’s what’s powerful about shop local,” said Janes.
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