ATHABASCA — When you hear the words 'Shop Local' what comes to mind?
For some, it conjures up the mom and pop shops and small, family-owned businesses that sustained towns like Athabasca for years, but well-recognized franchises and national chains are becoming more and more common and are playing a more significant role in local economies. And while some chain franchises are owned by people who do not live in the area, some, like Home Hardware and Canadian Tire, are both locally-owned by people who live in Athabasca and contribute to the community in more ways than just jobs and economic development.
“Lots of people don’t realize places like Home Hardware and Canadian Tire are locally owned,” said Leonard LeSage, who co-owns the Athabasca Canadian Tire with his wife Joleen.
The LeSage’s have lived in Athabasca since 2008 and in those 14 years have become fixtures in the community, employing more than 50 part- and full-time staff.
“We support all the events,” he said. “From small gatherings to big events like the Rotary dinner.”
They also give to the food bank and through the Jump Start program have put back over $100,000 into the community supporting youth sports.
“Whatever is raised in town, stays in town,” he said.
And having a brand name draws in people from further away as well, he said.
“There are so many people coming here from out of town like Lac La Biche and Smith.People are coming to shop and see the doctor and have something to eat.”
Home Hardware owner Carol Alberts has lived in Athabasca since moving here with her family when she was in Grade 6.
“I have become an Athabascan and truly my heart lies here," she said. “It's the truth. I did leave for a few years, and I wouldn't leave again.”
She worked her way up to becoming owner and expanding the business while employing 25 to 33 staff, depending on the season and putting back into the community at least $25,000 a year in donations.
“I started working at Home Hardware in 1999,” she said. “In 2003, I became a very junior partner and in 2008, I became the sole owner.”
When they outgrew their old location along the riverfront, they moved to their new, bigger building on the East Hill.
“We literally ran out of room there,” said Alberts. “We were overflowing our space and decided we either move and get bigger or become obsolete.”
And Home Hardware gives owners flexibility to run their stores how they want; there’s some basic items they must have, but if they want to add a home and gift section like Alberts has, they can.
"We do everything we can to stay as local as it can be,” she said. “We have some vendors who produce things for us right from town. We have some from Edmonton, (but) we ... try to stay within Canada. We try to do things like Beauty by Bees, which is an Alberta company; that's the primary hope of ours, that we can stay as local as possible.”
Both local businesses are taking part in the Athabasca District Chamber of Commerce ‘Tis the Season series of sales and events with specials and sales.
