PENHOLD - The economic outlook may be tough for Albertans but many small businesses are continuing to build and grow, particularly in small- town Alberta.
Spaws Pet Grooming and Boutique is one of two new businesses to open in the town of Penhold this year.
“We opened August 23 of this year,” said Taylor King, owner of Spaws Pet Grooming and Boutique. “We provide a range of services for pets – we do cats, dogs, rabbits, ferrets and guinea pigs. We provide stress-free grooming services.”
Despite the economic challenges facing Alberta, the small business with three employees chose a small town like Penhold to help fill a need and provide service to local residents.
“One day I looked outside and saw a lot of dogs around here. There were a lot for not having a pet grooming place in Penhold,” said King. “Pet grooming is one of those things that people don't neglect in poor economies. I think it's one of those industries that regardless, you still have to take care of your pets,” she added. “It comes down to their pet's well- being.”
In addition, both the recent increase in minimum wage in Alberta and the looming carbon tax, are not expected to impact Spaws Pet Grooming and Boutique.
“Fortunately for us we use contractors. Most groomers are under a contact base so they get a percentage of what they groom on a dog (or other pet),” she said. “It doesn't affect us like it would a grocery store or a retail store.”
The same applies to the carbon tax.
“We're anticipating it and we know it's coming, but we just don't know what that means for us at this point,” added King, noting that the poor economy in the province has begun to affect the business in a non-direct way.
“I do see a lot of people coming in and getting the cheapest services they can instead of back when I started, people were loading up on services. It still comes down to that (pets) need to be clipped, shaved and washed.
“We've also seen an increase in dogs coming in a few weeks too late,” said King.
One other business called Wired Up also opened this year in Penhold.
Although there were just two new businesses in Penhold in 2016, Mayor Dennis Cooper said his town is a thriving place for business.
“They're offering a level of service that could be unique but needed,” said Cooper. “I think you're going to see Penhold continue to grow because as the community grows in size, there's more people. As we start to fill in the rental areas, people will be asking for services,” he added, noting Penhold's business outlook.
“Soon there's going to be construction starting on a Tim Hortons On The Run drive-thru in Penhold and a gas station,” said Cooper. “They're going to start construction but it probably will open in 2017. They're also putting in another strip mall too.”
Dennis Cooper, Penhold mayor
"I think you're going to see Penhold continue to grow because as the community grows in size, there's more people. As we start to fill in the rental areas, people will be asking for services."
