NIPAWIN/MELFORT — Local business owners in northeast Saskatchewan say the holiday shopping season plays a critical role in sustaining their operations through the quieter winter months.
Faron Saufert, owner and pitmaster of The Dam Smokehouse and The Dam Smokehouse Catering and Events in Nipawin and Meath Park, said a busy December is essential for his business.
Saufert has owned the restaurant for seven years and said full dining rooms and Christmas party catering help offset the slower months of January and February.
“It is essential to have a busy holiday season with a full restaurant and Christmas party catering in order to weather the long, cold January and February months, where we tend to slow down dramatically,” Saufert said.
He added the business has noticed changes in customer spending habits due to ongoing economic pressures. While The Dam Smokehouse does not typically offer specials, Saufert said the menu changes frequently to keep things fresh for customers.
Saufert said he is grateful for customers who continue to choose his business for dining and catered events.
“We appreciate our customers for trusting us to deliver quality and service for their events,” he said. “There are many top-quality establishments in our trading area, so for those who choose to dine with us and spend their dollars here is extremely humbling.”
In Melfort, Sandra Dancey, owner and operator of Northern Lights Gallery, said the holiday season accounts for a significant portion of her annual sales.
Dancey has operated the gallery for more than a decade and previously owned Dog Hide Gallery in Tisdale. She said approximately 25 per cent of her sales occur in November and December.
During the Christmas season, the gallery focuses on gift shopping and custom framing while promoting the work of more than 50 artists from Melfort, Tisdale, Star City, Naicam and Nipawin.
Dancey said the idea of shopping local has become more prominent in recent years, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic and shifting political and economic conditions.
“It means keeping money in your community and recognizing how much can be produced locally,” she said.
The gallery contributes to the local economy by showcasing local art and through Dancey’s volunteer work with the Back Alley Tour, which highlights regional artists.
Dancey said customers are often surprised to learn all the artwork in the gallery is created by local artists.
“I really appreciate how many people shop local,” she said. “They are what keeps local businesses thriving, and it reminds artists who live and work here that their artwork is appreciated.”
