Once again COVID 19 puts pressure on the Alberta economy, small business in particular. On November 13, 2020, the Alberta government instituted targeted public health measures. Communities with more than 50 active cases per 100,000 people, became subject to enhanced public health measures to control the spread.
Medicine Hat’s numbers have increased to 80+ (147/100,000) in the past week, and the province has seen daily increases including a record high on Sunday November 22, 2020 when 1,584 new cases were confirmed – more than much larger Ontario or Quebec. The new enhanced public safety measures include: a 15-person limit on family and social gatherings, mask use encouraged in all indoor workplaces, employers in office setting to reduce employees in the workplace at any given time, restaurants and pubs must stop liquor sales by 10pm (Nov 13-27, 2020), a ban on indoor group fitness classes and team sports (Nov 13-27, 2020), a ban on group singing, dancing and performing activities (Nov 13-27, 2020), a 50-person limit on wedding and funeral services (indoor and outdoor) and faith-based gatherings are limited to 1/3 capacity. These measures are, of course, in addition to the basic measures, physical distancing, good hygiene, monitor your symptoms, stay home if you are sick, etc.
So, is it all bad news for small independent business? Not in the Hat. The shopHERE (powered by Google) program, in conjunction with Apex (Community Futures Entre-Corp), Invest Medicine Hat and the Medicine Hat and District Chamber of Commerce has future-proofed approximately 130 businesses in Southeast Alberta.
Here is the list of stores, restaurants and artists that have launched online stores through the shopHERE program: www.buttermeupnatural.ca www.theclaytrade.ca, www.glitteroos.ca, www.thekommon.ca, www.runwaysboutique.com, www.loonandbloom.ca, www.bradleighgecko.com, www.sedonanorth.ca, www.engagingminds.ca, www.bugandbeannutrition.com, www.zenhouse.ca, www.Mhfoodbankshop.ca/collection/all, www.thepageandwhisker.ca, www.sourceforsports.ca/en-CA/shop-local/sports-connection-medicine-hat.aspx, https://shop.memlane.com/category/desktops, www.thaiorchidroom.ca, https://www.icymountainwater.com/shop-all, https://bythec.ca/, www.salonpurity.ca, www.earlyreadersacademy.ca, www.nolimitexteriors.com, www.integrityspinalcare.com, www.truenorthcanine.com, www.jeffnoon.ca, www.princeinnovation.com, www.littleowllearningcentre.ca, www.tammynunweiler.ca, www.sunvalleysolar.com, http://www.gardenofbreathin.com/, www.firstimpressionstudio.ca, www.advancedmassagetherapist.ca, www.yogau4ia.com, www.avaralandscaping.com/shop/, www.julienicolephotography.com/, www.adayinthelifephotography.ca, www.travoisbeer.com, www.sarahrivard.com, www.triplewgascoop.ca, and www.rusticrose.org.
There are many more stores, restaurants and artists in the program that are close to launching.Keep googling your local stores to see what’s new out there and stay tuned for our next announcement in early December, when we make it even easier for you to #shoplocalonline. If you are an independent store in Southeast Alberta and you haven’t signed up for shopHERE to have your online store built for you, it’s QUICK, EASY, And FREE. Sign up now at www.apexalberta.ca/shophere. What are you waiting for?
