Support from the community is the glue that enabled some Sooke businesses to keep it together during a year ravaged by the pandemic.
Karen Mason, president of the Sooke Chamber of Commerce, said overall businesses in Sooke did quite well in 2021.
B次元官网网址淥ur business community has fared well over the summer,B次元官网网址� Mason said.
B次元官网网址淭he number 1 concern would be staffing and getting good employees to want to work with them. The idea for local businesses is how to become an employer of choice, which is really important.B次元官网网址�
She added that is achieved by ensuring that youB次元官网网址檙e offering competitive wages and hours and a good work environment.
B次元官网网址淭hese are small business owners, so their skin is in the game,B次元官网网址� Mason said. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e not working for big corporations here.B次元官网网址�
Mason also pointed to the incredible support from the community and a commitment to shop local as crucial elements to helping businesses survive the pandemic.
Wayne Smith, the owner of Sooke Power Supply, said one of the biggest challenges of the last two years is the constant changes to public health protocols.
B次元官网网址淭rying to stay open has been a burden on everyone,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e been fortunate because a portion of our business is lawns and gardens. People are staying home and working on improvements to their homes, so weB次元官网网址檙e holding on. A lot of people have been shopping local and supporting their community, and weB次元官网网址檙e totally thankful for that.B次元官网网址�
Ashley Kilpatrick, owner of BosleyB次元官网网址檚 by Pet Valu in Sooke, said the biggest challenge in 2021 was keeping up with the changes in provincial health guidelines.
B次元官网网址淪ooke Bylaw really stepped up in keeping us informed,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e always quick to respond and support us.B次元官网网址�
Kilpatrick said her business didnB次元官网网址檛 suffer any losses, in part because of an increase in people getting animals during the pandemic.
B次元官网网址淚 have an amazing team around me that approaches everything like a family,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淎nd thereB次元官网网址檚 been amazing support with people shopping local thatB次元官网网址檚 allowed us to build more relationships in the community.B次元官网网址�
ThatB次元官网网址檚 resulted in the additional challenge of finding new staff members, however, Kilpatrick added.
Mike Williams, a realtor with Pemberton Holmes, said the situation was so hard at the beginning of the year that some realtors thought they might have to find another job.
B次元官网网址淭hen the numbers went crazy, and everything was selling,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e never seen inventory this low in 17 years. When the market first tanked, there were 5,000 listings between Sidney, Sooke and Shawnigan Lake. Now thereB次元官网网址檚 approximately 500, which includes properties, condos, single-family homes, everything but commercial.B次元官网网址�
Williams said every sale heB次元官网网址檚 been involved in has multiple offers.
B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 see the record to low inventory catching up to demand in the near future,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭he most popular items are homes with suites. Price has gone up so drastically that most people need a mortgage helper.B次元官网网址�
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