Pivoting for sales

Turning up the heat STORY BY STACIE GAETZ | PHOTO BY SERGEI BELSKI

Local businesspeople are discovering the key to staying relevant in today’s unpredictable world is changing things up and doing what they are passionate about.

Airdrie Canvas Inc. has been leading by this example for years.

Tony Gize, owner of Airdrie Canvas Inc., says the shop that was established by Tom Barker as a custom sewing shop for commercial/industrial businesses in 2003 has come a long way since then.

Smokin’ success

Gize took over as owner of the shop in 2013 after working in the RV industry for 18 years.

“We have since expanded to offer pergola covers, custom covers for patio furniture, boats, patio furniture reupholstering, car wash curtains, shoe repair, barbecue smokers and accessories,” says Gize.

He adds that they started selling barbecue covers in a small corner of the shop’s retail area in 2018.

“We had one brand of smokers and one brand of rubs/sauces. Since then, we have expanded to three brands of smokers and over 15 brands of sauces and rubs as well as a full line of accessories,” he says.

He admits that the desire to carry the grilling gear stemmed from his personal love of smoking.

“With a group of great friends, we started a smoking team called S.M.I.B Competition Smokers and entered professional smoking competitions in southern Alberta,” he adds.

“This was a great avenue to promote our store and grills that we sell.”

BBQVille Canada (a division of Airdrie Canvas Inc.) is now the sole retailer of Grilla Grills products in Canada.

“I am so passionate about food, feeding people and enjoying the comfort that food and sharing brings me,” says Gize.

“I longed to share my passion with as many people as possible; one bottle of sauce, rub, bag of pellets or smoker at a time. When the customer comes into BBQVille Canada, they know they are not just talking to a salesperson but someone who is truly passionate about this.”

“I longed to share my passion with as many people as possible; one bottle of sauce, rub, bag of pellets or smoker at a time”

Pandemic pressure

Gize says despite their growth in other areas, the COVID-19 pandemic and government-mandated lockdown period resulted in the closure of the shoe repair portion of the business.

“Unfortunately, we were forced to shut down Airdrie Shoe Repair, between the regulations put on us through Health Canada, people’s fears of being in the public and the entire personal service that shoe repair is,” he says.

“However, Airdrie Canvas has adapted from the day we took ownership and we will continue to do so.”

Gize adds that his team is grateful that the community has accepted and supported the transformations they have gone through over the years.

“We are very thankful to still be open and providing our community with barbecue/accessories and custom sewn products,” he adds. life

THE STORE UPSTAIRS

SUMMER GRILLING & CHILLING

GET ALL THE FLAVOURS & ACCESSORIES YOU NEED TO ENJOY AN ALFRESCO MEAL! ASK US ABOUT CREATING THE PERFECT BIRTHDAY OR HOUSEWARMING GIFT BASKETS.

STOREUPSTAIRS.CA CURBSIDE PICK-UP●FREE DELIVERY 209 CENTRE AVE. AIRDRIE ●VIRTUAL SHOPPING

Tips to ensure proper drainage around your property!

As a property owner, it is your responsibility to ensure that water flows away from your foundation and doesn’t impact neighbouring properties. Here are some do’s and don’ts that will help ensure proper drainage:

DO

• Ensure downspouts are two metres away from swales – this allows the water to soak into your lawn and reduces flooding. It’s against bylaw to have your downspout located closer than two metres away from the swale. Check your property report for exact depth of the utility right of way around the swale. • Ensure your swale is free of snow, ice and debris, such as yard waste, rocks or soil. • If you notice that the catch basin is covered by snow, grass or other debris, clear the catch basin grate to help drainage. • Ensure your fence is at least 150 mm (six inches) above the bottom of the swale to allow water to pass under it.

DON’T

• Don’t direct your downspout into neighbouring window wells.

• Don’t end your downspouts less than two metres away from your property line. • Don’t put planters in/on your swale.

This prevents the swales from functioning and could cause overland flooding in neighbouring properties. • Don’t build structures, (boardwalks, sheds, etc.) over swales.

You need to have access to your swale to ensure it’s clear of debris at all times. Because swales collect water from multiple properties, it’s important not to fill or obstruct the swale. • Don’t drain your hot tub/pools down the swales. • Don’t pour chemicals into swales.

direction of water flow

2m minimum

property line 2m minimum between drain pipe and property line Visit www.airdrie.ca/swales for more information.