Some Black Diamond merchants are feeling the crunch of Alberta’s slow economy.
This summer has been the slowest in the 11-year history for floral and gift shop Nature Arranged.
Owner Bev Geier, one of many independent business owners in the community of about 2,500 people, had to lay off all of her staff and cut back on how much merchandise she brings in.
“In July 2015 I noticed a downturn in my sales and then this July it was pathetic,” she said. “We are down 40 (per cent) from last year and I thought last year was bad.”
Geier said this summer is worse than after the 2013 flood swept through the community.
“The year of the flood was bad, but it picked up,” she said. “I didn’t suffer too much from that.”
Sales bounced back quickly, said Geier, but in 2015 they began to drop.
“Last Christmas we were down 25 per cent,” she said. “I know it’s the economy. If people don’t have money you can’t make them buy.”
Even Geier is pinching her pennies, no longer making trips to Calgary to shop. She said many others are doing the same.
“For me it’s a vicious circle,” she said. “If I can’t afford to buy flowers I can’t afford to keep the doors open.”
Geier, the president of the Diamond Valley Chamber of Commerce, knows of several merchants who are struggling financially this year.
“It’s hitting all sorts of businesses, but mostly the businesses that are luxury like flowers, tea and coffee,” she said. “When talking to different business owners, if they tell the truth, they’re saying business is down. If they say business is up they aren’t telling the truth. I would stake my life on it.”
Business was slower than Bali Bling Gift Store owner Vivian Wiebe had hoped.
“We seem to have more window shoppers,” said the clothing and accessory store manager. “They are doing a lot of looking.”
Wiebe hoped business would be busier with Canada’s low dollar value, yet she saw no more American customers in her shop this summer than in previous years, she said.
“Even with the downturn in the dollar things are still cheaper in the states than here,” she said. “I think that influences whether or not the Americans come.”
It’s not just this year that Wiebe is worried about. She’s not very confident about the future.
“With the oil downturn people are watching their money and they are watching where they spend it,” she said. “There have been a lot of people who lost their jobs.
“I have a feeling we are going to see more of the same for a while yet.”
Marv’s Classic Soda Shop owner Marv Garriott has had his ups and downs over the years with his ’50s style burger and ice cream shop, yet he had high hopes for this year.
“I expected it to be higher because of the dollar difference and people not going to the United States, but that didn’t happen,” he said. “July was about even (with last year) and in August we were down about 18 per cent.”
As for the future for Black Diamond merchants, Garriott said a lot of changes are on the way – both good and bad.
“I don’t think next year is going to be as much fun as this year because minimum wage is going to go up and we are going to have a carbon tax,” he said, adding there is also light at the end of the tunnel. “We are gifted with a Tim Hortons now and I heard there is another bank and a few other things coming so we might be on the verge of good things happening out there.”
Business started off slow this year for Lori Czerwinsky’s shop, Lori’s Looking Glass, but come spring it began to pick up and she had more sales than last year, she said.
“I found this summer to be really strong,” she said. “I’ve been here for four years building clientele that keeps coming back. We were getting to be known as a shopping destination for visitors from Calgary and other areas in southern Alberta.”
Rusty Davidson, owner of Black Diamond Gallery, said business traffic is about the same as last year.
“It’s been good,” he said. “I think the economy is worse this year. On the other hand, we had a good summer.”
One of Black Diamond’s newer businesses, Diamond Valley Outdoor Hobbies and Fly Shop, had a successful first summer. The shop opened its doors officially in January.
“Between January and June was a little tough for me because of the economy,” said owner Jacob Dimoporo. “Since July 12 it’s been awesome. It’s a store that’s needed in the area.”
Dimoporo sells accessories for hunting, fishing and other outdoor ventures and plans to open another store in town that offers rentals like fly fishing poles, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, snowshoes and ice fishing equipment.
