To open or close: the dilemma for small businesses in Sask. on Remembrance Day
Owner of comic book store says he can't afford to lose business this year
As thousands of people in Saskatchewan observe Remembrance Day tomorrow, many businesses will close for all or part of the day. But other businesses, especially small businesses, are staying open.
Theo Kivol, owner of the Saskatoon comic book store Unreal City, said he normally closes on the statutory holiday. But this year, thanks to the low Canadian dollar, he will open.
"This year because you know, it's falling on the Wednesday, I feel like I'm just, my hands are tied. I'm going to have to do it this year," Kivol said.
He said Wednesday is the day of the week when new comic books are released.
"If Remembrance Day was on a Thursday or if the exchange rate was better we'd probably close again this year," Kivol said. "But I feel like I'm between a rock and a hard place. I'm going to have to open tomorrow."
He won't ask other staff to come in and he's limiting business to four hours in the afternoon. Still, Kivol is not alone.
Mackenzie Firby opened her clothing boutique, Two Fifty Two Boutique, a year ago.
"It's hard when you're a privately-owned business because you know you want to be open for your customers and lots of people do have the day off," Firby said.
"We still want to honour the people who fought for our country. So it was a tough decision, but limited hours, noon to five, that's what we'll be open."
Firby said it's a busier shopping day than you'd expect after Remembrance Day services are over.
It's a different story for a family business in Regina. Carlo Giambattista, owner of the Italian Star Deli, said his store will be closed tomorrow.
"My wife's military and her father, so we used to go to the cenotaph. We always took the time to go do that," Giambattista said.
"And being a stat holiday, we honour that and we like our staff to have that time off. So definitely I can see that revenue stream and how it works. But we are closed."
Giambattista said working seven days a week is enough and he welcomes the break. But he understands the pressure small business owners face.
Some malls in Saskatoon will open only after 11 a.m., while some of the larger chain stores such as Walmart and Costco have regular hours.