Talk NewWest - Retail in a Post Covid World

This is the first in a new series that will include interviews and a talk show with various people who are part of the public landscape of New Westminster. This episode concentrates on three business owners in New Westminster who, against the odds, started up a currently successful business during the recent pandemic.

The interviews look at the challenges for Zesty Lemon Clothing Company owner Katerina Tsangorakis, Groove Cat Books and Records owner John Hughes and Yum! Donuts owner Kim Collinshaw. Interviews cover the roadblocks to starting up a business in New Westminster as well as the community support many of them experienced. 

The biggest reward for all three owners as they faced challenges from both the waning year of the pandemic and the obstacles of finding a location and making it work for them was the support of the community. Much of this support was garnered by all three businesses making good use of social media to reach out to the local community.  It allows them to communicate changes and publicize events to help grow their followers. In the talk show portion, they discuss and compare how each of them came to find their place in social media and why they find it so valuable.

While acknowledging that the pandemic had an impact on retail, all three owners agreed that they are pleased with the results of their startups. Kim of Yum! Donuts recalls the lineups on opening week that left her exhausted. Katerina shares her doubts about her ability to continue, even if successful, beyond her current five-year lease. John agrees with Kim and Katerina that as satisfying as running your own business can be, it is a full-time job and more. 

Finally, at the end of the talk show, host Deni Loubert poses the question of what each of them would do if the pandemic were to return. How would this affect their plans for their business. Katerina's response that she would simply pivot to the needs of the situation is echoed by Kim and John. Undeterred, they agree that they managed to start up a new business in the midst of a pandemic and feel comfortable that they could keep this business going if Covid-19 returns to wreak havoc with retail again.