Small businesses in Kitimat seemed quite pleased with the launch of Love Kitimat, a shop-local initiative being done here and all over the north.
Kitimat’s Economic Development Officer Rose Klukas says about 35 businesses signed up to the program locally and the result has proven the town is interested in supporting local businesses.
“I’m very pleased with the turnout of people,” she added about the public that attended.
Her department is looking at a planned Business Walk in November as well to offer short surveys to see what challenges local businesses see as a further way to support local businesses.
Renata King with Northern Development Initiative Trust, the organization which has launched the Small Town Love program, said its really a platform for small businesses to share their story.
She said most small businesses in general have no website and through the program businesses get a landing page online and help build community awareness of what they offer.
Ron Lechner, a partner with the Pizza Factory Pizzeria and Bistro, said he’s enjoyed Love Kitimat as its given him an outlet to promote his less-known products like their artisan pizzas.
John Silvestre, whose business Beitz Computers was also represented at the Love Kitimat fair, said it’s a very positive program and has been a useful way to share information about his business.
Mary Wilson, owner of Chez Catering, said before Love Kitimat she had just a Facebook page.
With no storefront she’s found the program has value to increasing awareness of her business.
“For me it’s fantastic,” she said.