Our Resilient Manitoba

When the first rumblings of the word “pandemic” started back in January, most Manitobans took it in stride. Nothing could prepare us for what was coming, and how quickly. Winnipeg businesses have learned that adaptability and patience in the face of unprecedented uncertainty— and, yes, sometimes panic—are crucial to business survival in the foreseeable future.

Tina Jones, Banville & Jones Wine Co.

We are very grateful that we were allowed to stay open during the shutdown. Because everything was so uncertain, we decided to close retail traffic and moved our business to curb-side pickup and delivery. Watching restaurants shut down was like watching a bad movie: more than 50% of our business was affected. We’re hopeful that all of our restaurant partners will come back; unfortunately, this won’t be the case. We have re-opened retail with a new focus: shop local, globally. We have refined our wine selection to represent farmers and winemakers who we have built relationships with over the years and whose business values reflect our own: family-run, sustainable, producing quality wines for good value.

Jeremy Epp, IJL

Because we made a decision early to keep the staff on, we invited people to come to work for 3 hours a day, and made the best of the time. We redid our entire inventory system, and added lots of new inventory to our website. Our in-house designer took the time to design a special line of pendants, the Aurora Collection, whose sales will support one of our favourite charities, Ronald McDonald House.

Jen Goreski, UN Luggage

Laying off people that have worked for you for 20 years is heartbreaking. Even though the government said we could re-open, people who work in the downtown businesses are staying home. Restaurants, theatres, and bars are closed—there is no one walking by. We have our online store, and we are here every day for people who are travelling downtown specifically to shop here, but until travel starts again, we are just waiting and hanging on.

Michael Graham and Lise Belanger, Frescolio Fine Oil & Vinegar

Our regular customers not only supported the store by using our delivery service, they also chipped in when we joined Local Futures. This crowdfunding program allowed us and other local companies to raise emergency funds in exchange for future discounts. It is an investment in our business’s future by customers who want to help their favourite stores stay open, which means a lot to us.

Randy and Beaujena Reynolds, Beaujena’s French Table

These have been trying times, but we are still thriving. We closed in early March and have been finding other ways to stay busy. We buy all of our proteins from two Manitoba farms—Fresh Roots Farm and Luna Field Farm. These farms do a farm-to-eater delivery to Winnipeg every few weeks and we have joined their deliveries to offer our homemade French-meets-Polish potato dumplings. It has been keeping us busy and keeping our name out in the community until we re-open July 10.

Danny van Lecker and Jillian Flynn, Rae’s Bistro

We closed a week before the shutdown to prepare a new business model, mail out new menus, and design a custom delivery service that would keep our employees working. We are standing by our model of excellent service, quality food, and taking care of our staff—and it’s been working. Instead of reacting to every new development, we are trying to predict and prepare for the future. We are preparing to re-open June 23 in hopes that Manitoba keeps up the great work of staying healthy and Phase 3 arrives on time.

Charlie Spiring, Wellington-Altus

The current COVID-induced market conditions have enhanced our belief in our strategic game plan. First and foremost, ensuring our clients are secure in not only their financial goals but also in their life goals. It has never been more important to foster client relationships and guide them in getting through these difficult times. We are prepared to get the grey hair, not our clients! On the corporate side, we are continually innovating and pushing ourselves to excel in our multiple product and service offerings. We have built a strong management team and are advancing in technological innovations, to name a few. There is a good reason why we are the most successful retail investment firm in Canadian history. We are most proud that we have achieved this while maintaining our head office in Winnipeg. At Wellington-Altus our entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well.

Chris Voogt, Canadian Western Bank

Thousands of Canadians continue to need immediate support to relieve financial stress and uncertainty caused by COVID-19. At the first sign of economic hardship due to the virus, CWB’s Relationship Managers met the need by channelling robust client relationships with business owners, understanding each situation, and offering a framework of support options that suit each unique short- and medium-term financial case.

Ray DuBois, Ron Paul Garden Centre

We have always carried fun food items like dips, sauces, and hot pots; however, as an independent Federated Coop store, we shifted to essentials—groceries and hardware, with a focus on delivery, just to stay open. Phase 2 opened up retail just in time for May long weekend, and now we are busier than we could have ever planned for. With people staying home and vacations cancelled, people are focusing on making their homes and yards an oasis. The biggest risk to the business right now is that someone comes in and infects our staff or other customers, so we are actively working to be safe and practice social distancing.

Patricia Veert, Selective Professionals Network

With this time of much isolation, we have seen increased interest in our services from single professionals seeing the benefit of companionship. Despite—and also due to—the pandemic, there is very much a need for a better, safer option for singles to meet. Life does not wait, and people want to continue to meet. As we wait for a safer time to schedule in-person meetings, we have been modifying the way we introduce clients by offering virtual meetings.

Becky and Garry Parkes, Royal LePage Dynamic Real Estate

When everything first shut down we were able use the down time to support our other team member— our son—who suddenly had two kids to home school. The market recovered quickly though, and a lot of people want to buy homes! The biggest concern we are hearing right now is what is the best timing for selling homes. We have been busy on the phone, trying to help people make decisions, sending information. Making clients feel comfortable about the process is our priority right now.

Lifting Up the Vulnerable

In true Manitoban fashion, many businesses recognized that Winnipeg charities are also struggling. Annual themed or gala events fund a good portion of many charities’ annual operating and programming costs. In addition, lost wages means that financial support that they count on from the community dries up.

“We at Banville & Jones have always known that our community relies on the best of our volunteers, our giving, our relentless ability to understand hardships,” says Tina Jones. “We come together, we empathize, and we contribute. It’s a time when giving really changes lives.”

When Banville & Jones shifted to delivery and curb-side pickup, we found an opportunity to give back: all of the delivery fees from March, April, and May were donated to HSC Foundation’s Feeding the Front Lines campaign, which delivers food to frontline healthcare workers. The Merchant Kitchen also fed the community, with a donation of 480 prepared meals to 1JustCity’s three city sites, which have continued to offer meals and shelter to vulnerable Winnipeggers throughout the pandemic.

Some businesses are using the time to supplement ongoing support to local charities. Law firm Fillmore and Riley, which is a long-time supporter of Fort Whyte, sponsored their #GivingTuesdayNow campaign, matching donations and annual pledges up to $7,500, ultimately contributing to the $17,000 to replace income lost during their closure.

Manitoba has a reputation for being one of the most philanthropic provinces in Canada. When our business community sees that the vulnerable are struggling, we know just how to get through this—as a community.

THANK YOU

to all those on the front lines working tirelessly to keep us safe, supplied, and healthy.

You truly are heroes!

A Perfect Pairing

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