Discussions

We all know that local and/or small businesses are struggling financially because of lost sales and income due to covid. I want to know which ones in particular you know need help or that come to mind!  
 
For myself, it’s fun time pottery! They are honest about how this year has been brutal for them, as well as others. I follow them on Facebook and right now they’re doing a sale until the end of June. They did a live tonight and if you don’t know them, watch it and you will see how sweet they are!!  
 
Funtime isn’t just a place for kids…it’s a really unique place to make or buy gifts for any occasion. We don’t have a lot of places in Brandon to go and actually do things at and if Funtime was forced to close, it would be so missed by many!  
 
They are doing take out kits and they’re great for birthdays, doing on vacation, at home date nights, thank you gifts for a teacher or childcare worker (your child could paint it and it would be such a special gift), so many possibilities really. You can either paint it for them or give it as a gift for them to paint. I believe you can also buy now and paint later so it would be a great time to stock up

I brought home a kit to paint at Christmas! So did my sister and her family. Turned out great! I should get some summer stuff to do on a rainy day too!

like to know some smaller businesses who are strugling to so I can support them. Isn't the govt still helping out those businesses that had to close ? I don't watch the news much as too depressing, so don't know the latest....Can't some millionaires help them? lol  
 
I don't think anyone ever thought in our lifetime we would see people lose so much. No one should be worried how they will pay rent or bills or buy food for their families.  
The govt should help more since how many generations of families have their paid taxes! Help Canadians who have built up this country, not send oodles of $$$ to other countries. Hopefully after these restrictions the businesses can open up again and stay open. After all this shit is over there should be one hell of a outdoor block party,or a big party in the keystone area and have food trucks, and stuff for kids, rides, and just celebrate for a couple of days ! And big fireworks!  
Sorry got abit off topic  
 
Edited by covidsux, 2021-06-17 00:16:19

I love FunTime Pottery. Millie is just a fabulous person.  
 
We’ve tried to move all of our shopping to local and only local. Some places that come to mind are:  
 
Lady of The Lake  
ToyMasters  
Union Shoes  
Bromley’s Men’s Wear  
Cinnamon Tree  
New System Store  
Bob’s HQ  
George Strange’s Bookstore  
Nearly New Store  
SuperThrift  
MCC  
Obermaiers Meats  
The Farmer’s Markets  
 
I’d love to see where everyone else has been shopping!

Verns appliance is a great place to support,I needed a new washing machine and I was going to get it through my nephew at the place he works and i could of got it at his discount employee price but then i decided I wanted to support a locally owned business.

"Isn't the govt still helping out those businesses that had to close ?"  
 
While yes they are, it is not nearly enough.  
 
Since businesses had to close down on May 9th or 10th in this most recent shutdown, they have received a one time payment from the provincial government of $5,000. Businesses are still required to pay rent, insurance, utilities, business loans, etc. during this time.  
 
Edited to add: That $5,000 payment...It doesn't matter if you own 1 business or 10. Everyone gets the same $5,000. So in the next little example, imagine trying to pay your monthly bills if you had several locations. You wouldn't be able to.  
 
So imagine $2,500 in monthly rent, $750 in utilities, $200 in insurance, $1,000 in a business loan, monthly franchise agreements, monthly licenses and permits that carry a cost, on and on. These figures are going to be obviously larger or smaller depending on the size / type of business, however that $5,000 while I am sure is appreciated, it is not nearly enough as we head into week 6-7-8 of this lockdown.  
 
As for the Federal governments programs, there are two that businesses can apply for right now CEWS (Wage subsidy) and Rent Relief subsidy. If your business is closed right now, your staff aren't working, and so you will not be receiving any wage subsidy. Business owners do not qualify for wage subsidy themselves, they have to apply for CERB. So if you are a business owner who also works 40+ hours a week at your business, the best you can get is CERB.  
 
The rent relief program is probably their best program, as it will cover around 80% of the monthly rent while closed due to shutdowns, and around 35-40% of the rent when allowed to be open.  
 
I guess the short version is, much like most people cannot afford to live long term on the $900 biweekly CERB payments (mortgage/rent, car, groceries, utility bills, insurances, on and on), businesses cannot afford to get by on the current programs in place.  
 
The other thing to factor in, some of these businesses have had to close during their busy seasons. Imagine at Christmas time when retail stores had to shut down. They make most of their money in November and December. Right now would be prime season for salons who make money from grads, weddings, and other events. Being allowed to reopen in July in the middle of your dead season will do little to help some businesses.  
 
Edited by JoshuaP, 2021-06-17 10:17:39

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