This week’s Business Spotlight shines on Abyssinia Village Market, a specialty grocery store located at #120 5017 – 49 Street. This local business offers quality ethnic foods, including meats, cheese, spices and specialty coffee. Read on to learn more.

What is your business?

My business is Abyssinia Village Market. Our business hours are every Monday to Friday, 10am to 8pm.

What makes your business unique?

Our business is the only store in the downtown which provides both African and Arabian product.

What are some products/services that you offer?  

The best Ethiopian coffee, Injera (Ethiopian Bread) and Arabian food products.

Why did you choose Downtown Red Deer as the location for your business? 

Many people from different cultures now live in and around downtown but did not have an African and Arabian shopping place.

What do you think makes Downtown vibrant? 

The people living around downtown. 

I love Downtown Red Deer because… 

Because I can access everything simply. It is the center of the town.

Check out Abyssinia Village Market on Facebook!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Abyssinian-Village-Market-103244047720658

Check back next week for another business spotlight! If you would like to see your Downtown business spotlighted, please contact us at 403-340-8696 or info@downtownreddeer.com.

This week’s Business Spotlight shines on Downtown’s Urban Farmhouse Fabric, located at #140 4828 – 53 Street. This local business offers quality quilt fabric, drop-in sewing classes and retreats as well as all the tools you need for your latest project! Read on to learn more.

What is your business?

Urban Farmhouse Fabric is a modern and traditional quilt fabric store with 100% cotton fabrics, flannels, batiks, backings, notions precuts and patterns – everything you need in one store! 

When did you open? 

We opened our doors in 2016, across the street and have grown so much since that we moved across the way to a larger space! We now offer a fully accessible space for all your sewing needs and look forward to showing you around. 

What are some products/services that you offer?  

Urban Farmhouse Fabric strives to offer the best selection of fabrics, sewing notions, quilting supplies (and more!) that the industry has to offer…not to mention the friendliest service around! We also offer a variety of classes in our classroom space next door, from beginner to expert we have a class for every skill level. At each class you will benefit from the knowledge of our expert instructors and leave with a refreshed sense of confidence in your abilities. 

Why did you choose Downtown Red Deer as the location for your business? 

We wanted to stay central to not only all of the Red Deer but also the surrounding communities. We know that many travel to visit us, so having such a large variety of businesses around us is a benefit to our travelling customers – it’s a one-stop-shop type of a deal!  

What do you think makes Downtown vibrant? 

The many community events and the proud members of the Downtown Business Association. There is so much to take in Downtown year-round, it would be a shame to miss it. 

I love Downtown Red Deer because… 

It is the heart of our beautiful city. Downtown has the perfect number of shops and services, you would be hard-pressed to not find what you are looking for! We especially love Ross Street for the many music and arts festivals that take place down there! 

Check out Urban Farmhouse Fabric on Facebook for the latest deals!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UrbanFarmhouseFabric

Check back next week for another business spotlight! If you would like to see your Downtown business spotlighted, please contact us at 403-340-8696 or info@downtownreddeer.com.

This week’s Business Spotlight shines on Downtown’s Central Appliances, offering gently used appliances, sales, repairs, parts and more! Read the interview to learn more about this local business.

What is your business?

Central Appliances Sales & Service Inc.

When did you open? 

Spring 2016.

What would you say makes your business unique? 

Give the best deals on used appliances in our area, while supplying great customer service.

What are some products/services that you offer?  

We give new life to appliances at more affordable costs for customers. We also offer in home & in shop repairs.

Why did you choose Downtown Red Deer as the location for your business? 

The prime location, ease of access and close to transit amenities-all a good way for our customers to get to us.

What do you think makes Downtown vibrant? 

The work that goes into the curb appeal and beautification during the year gives a community feel and creates a sense of pride.

I love Downtown Red Deer because… 

We feel like a tight knit community, businesses are looking out for one another, providing support and working together to stay in business.

Visit Central Appliance for all your sales and repair needs! Check out their website and social media for their latest deals!

Website: https://centralappliances.ca/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/centralappliancesRD/

Check back next week for another business spotlight! If you would like to see your Downtown business spotlighted, please contact us at 403-340-8696 or info@downtownreddeer.com.

This week’s Business Spotlight shines on one of Downtown’s amazing art galleries,  Riverlands Artist Studio and Gallery! We spoke with owner and artist Carol Lynn Gilchrist to learn more!

What is your business?

Riverlands Artist Studio and Gallery at 5123 48 Street (Alexander Way).

When did you open? 

September 1, 2022 and Grand Opening held on September 10-12, 2022. 

What would you say makes your business unique? 

Riverlands is my working studio and the front gallery space showcases my landscape artwork, which changes as new work is created, and I have a monthly spotlight on invited guest artists, both local and from across Alberta. Riverlands participates in the First Friday Gallery tour held every month which encourages the public to engage with artists and art in a celebratory way. 

What are some products/services that you offer?  

Riverlands offers a variety of fine art for purchase in watercolour, acrylic, and oil. I also work by commission, if a client has a specific idea for a custom painting for their home or business. Next month I’ll start offering one-day and weekend workshops that will be held in the studio. I’m looking forward to opening up the studio for in-person art instruction to small groups. The instructors will be my guest exhibiting artists, so workshop participants will be exposed to and inspired by the instructors’ work hanging in the gallery, which will provide a wonderful, and immersive visual experience.  

Why did you choose Downtown Red Deer as the location for your business? 

After a decade of working from my small home studio, I jumped at the chance to have a large commercial studio and gallery in the downtown, to have a greater presence in the community, to showcase other artists, and a storefront to sell my art.

What do you think makes Downtown vibrant? 

Downtown Red Deer has a wonderful collection of entrepreneurs; small service businesses, unique shops and restaurants, which contributes to the distinct feeling or energy. This attractive physical environment is enhanced with a variety of planned activities and events throughout the year, which helps citizens discover these hidden gems. 

I love Downtown Red Deer because… 

I love Downtown Red Deer because there is a sense of community, and growing vitality along Alexander Way, Little Gaetz and Ross Street that will have an impact of the entire downtown area. 

Visit Riverlands Gallery to enjoy works from the talented Carol Lynn Gilchrist and other local artists! Check out their website and social media for their latest deals!

Website:https://www.clgilchrist.com/

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/RiverlandsStudioandGallery

Check back next week for another business spotlight! If you would like to see your Downtown business spotlighted, please contact us at 403-340-8696 or info@downtownreddeer.com.

This week’s Business Spotlight shines on Copies Now! This locally owned and operated business is located at 4721 – 50th (Gaetz) Ave, Red Deer, Alberta. We spoke with them to learn more about their services!

What is your business?

Copies Now is your digital print store.

When did you open? 

We opened 35 years ago in 1987.

What would you say makes your business unique? 

Our name and business was founded on the concept of offering people a place to come and do their own work (self serve). This is all supported by quality staff, a full production area in the back and our ability to partner with other businesses that enhance what we can offer our clients.

What are some products/services that you offer?  

Copies Now offers digital black and white and color printing, large format printing, scanning, fazing, project finishing and binding. We also offer office stationary, business cards, NCR forms, cheques, report and now sublimation products.

Why did you choose Downtown Red Deer as the location for your business? 

When we opened, Downtown was the hub of the community and it only made sense to be where the businesses could find you.

What do you think makes Downtown vibrant? 

People make things vibrant, it is their enthusiasm and energy that radiates out and is seen by others.

I love Downtown Red Deer because… My roots are here and I’ve always seen its potential.

If you’re looking for a place to get all of your printing done, whether its business cards, posters, banners, etc. CopiesNow is the place to go! Check out their website and social media for their latest deals!

Website: https://copiesnow.ca

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/copiesnow

Twitter: https://twitter.com/copiesnow

Check back next week for another business spotlight! If you would like to see your Downtown business spotlighted, please contact us at 403-340-8696 or info@downtownreddeer.com.