As COVID continues to bodycheck small business, resilient owners are using every resource available to keep their customers and employees safe. With inflation added to the mix, Canadian consumer confidence is sliding downward.
If you know of a St. Albert and area business that has recently arrived, moved, or shut its doors, let us know by email at [email protected] with “Business Buzz” as the subject line.
Right to your door
Entrepreneurs in Morinville have found a way to open a new business during the pandemic despite the toll on the economy.
Jump the Line Inc., an online rural delivery service similar to Skip the Dishes, launched its operation the weekend of Sept. 11 and 12. It delivers restaurant orders, groceries, alcohol, and supplements within a 27-kilometre radius of Morinville.
“We felt Morinville needed a delivery service. We’ve lived here our whole lives and there was never anything like this. So, we decided to give it a shot,” said Chris Avagianos. His co-partners are Alicia Sullivan, Nathanial Sullivan, and Bradley Epp.
“We figured we’d start online first. If it takes off, we’ll have an office, but we’re not quite there yet.”
For added information call 780-245-5867.
Charting pre-school success
A new Montessori preschool established itself in Campbell Park as of Sept. 13. Global Child Montessori, licensed for 30 children three years to five, looks to fostering a child’s natural curiosity and interests.
The family business, operated by retired Grade 1 teacher Gloria Dryhorub and her daughter Amber, focuses on programs that include botany, zoology, geography, mathematics, language arts, cultural studies, and practical life activities.
The family’s original Montessori preschool shut down two years ago. They had difficulty finding a new place due to COVID-related issues and a shortage of available locations.
“We just wanted to open up again. We’re a family business and we wanted to continue doing the job we had,” said Dryhorub.
Global Child Montessori is located at 101 – 125 Carleton Drive.
Exotic restaurant moves location
Tandoori Fuzion, newly based in north St. Albert at Erin Ridge Plaza, hosted its grand opening on Sept. 10. The newly designed East Indian restaurant, now spanning 3,000 square feet and showcasing a modern, contemporary vibe, re-opened its doors June 23.
A city staple for seven years, Tandoori Fuzion was formerly located at Liberton Square as a two-story 4,500-square-foot venue. Owner Naveen Saggi stated the rent was too high, forcing him to search for a different spot during the COVID lockdown.
“It was an old building, and we were paying $16,000 a month. It was too much,” said Saggi.
Tandoori Fuzion is now at 1115 St. Albert Trail, Unit 360.
Creating beauty and generosity
A new personal wellness and aesthetics salon opened its doors Aug. 1. Ten Beauty and Medi Spa offers a series of cosmetic treatments that range from facials, pedicures, and manicures to 12 different aesthetic medical services.
“My whole model is that I wanted every woman to feel like a 10, but not pay like a 10. So, my services are not overpriced,” said owner-operator Mary Mrkonjic.
The St. Albert resident, a strong supporter of WIN-House, Boyle Street Community Services, and Mustard Seed Church, also donates a portion of the spa’s product sales to charity.
“My idea was bigger than business. I want to leave a legacy.”
Ten Beauty and Medi Spa is at Suite 130, Sturgeon Medical Centre, 625 St. Albert Trail.
NABI cancels open house
The Northern Alberta Business Incubator (NABI), which provides business support to start-up entrepreneurs, cancelled its Oct. 1 open house. The uptick in reported COVID-19 cases promoted the cancellation as organizers work to keep members and the public safe.
Economy
• Alberta ranchers and farmers now have access to $340 million in drought relief. Operated by the 2021 Canada-Alberta Livestock Feed Assistance Initiative, producers with limited grazing and feed shortages can apply for up to $200 per head. The program is administered through Agriculture Financial Services Corporation. Application information is available through AgriRecovery at www.afsc.ca/income-stabilization/agrirecovery/
• Beginning Nov. 20, PayPal will charge Canadian account holders a $20 fee if their account has been inactive for a 12-month period. To avoid paying the inactivity fee, simply log in to your account prior to the November date.
