Summer is in full swing and that means local retailers are finding ways to balance their professional lives with the joys of the season’s recreational opportunities.

As they work hard to meet customer needs, they are also enjoying community events, seasonal products and sales, and spending quality time in the sun with family and friends.

 

Shanna Freynet Manager at Pet Valu says she’s been spending a lot of her summer focusing on the store’s renovations. 

“Lots of focus on the renovations, definitely. But you still got to make time to go have fun, go fishing, enjoy the weather.” 

She notes they are also working with the Steinbach and Area Animal Rescue, and just recently held a big BBQ event for them. 

They host adoption events with the local rescue every month and are hosting another BBQ in August to raise money for the rescue once again. 

Freynet says Pet Valu is currently pushing hydration and making sure your dogs are cool during the hot days. 

“Between the rain, it's been pretty hot, so we have cooling vests, cooling mats, cooling toys, wet food, and lick mats. Just anything to keep your dog hydrated and cool while we all try to enjoy the outdoors.” 

 

Randy Schroeder at Canadian Tire says her summer is going great so far. 

“Enjoying some lake weather between some rainy days. It's really nice getting out and enjoying some of the sunshine and kayaking and enjoying the summer while I can.” 

She says they have an online deal going on for the next two days. 

“This week we have online only, spend $150 and get $30 in Canadian Tire money on July 16th and 17th.” 

 

Nick Lanteigne, Sales Manager at GNM Fine Jewelers says with the hot weather he’s been getting a lot of use out of their above ground pool in the next few weeks. 

He says the mosquitos haven’t been too bad to deal with 

“I find at dusk after I get the kids to bed and the wife and I sit on the deck for a bit, we just have a Thermacell and it's usually okay.” 

While some jewelry can be expensive, Lanteigne says they also have really great items for really good prices. 

“We try to have a little bit of everything. There's Pandora that starts at $30 and we have a big sale going on with Pandora right now. The starting point is very attainable for most.” 

He notes they also do custom jewelry. 

 

Bev Penner with Prairie Oils and Vinegars says she has been enjoying eating out on patios this summer. 

“If I go out to eat, I choose to go where there's a patio in the summer, because I like to sit outside and enjoy summer outside on a patio. Sitting on a patio in summer outside at a restaurant is something I enjoy doing.” 

She says their new watermelon white balsamic is quite popular. 

“People who taste it will buy it because it actually has real watermelon juice for the flavor, so it is not a fake watermelon flavor, it is a true watermelon flavor.” 

Penner says she recreated a watermelon and grilled cheese salad she had at a restaurant. 

“I took it home and recreated it with that watermelon balsamic, and I did a cilantro and onion oil. There are people that are not cilantro fans, so we also recommend a different oil like lime, so that is kind of the hit for the summer here.” 

She notes the watermelon balsamic can also be used to make cocktails. 

 

Rachelle from Pharmasave notes that the store is an M&M Express location wtih a great selection of BBQ items and frozen desserts and that their points card is being discontinued, and in the fall they are bringing out Air Miles instead.  

“I think that's one of our bigger things that are happening this year, obviously we are going to be two years old at the end of August, so we want to do a little bit of a recognition of our two-year anniversary.” 

She also notes they are seeing lots of interest in their puzzles. 

“I just got a nice big order in again. People are buying them for when they go camping and when they're at cabins. If they're there for a week or two, they like to bring that and sit at the picnic table,” she says. “So we're seeing a big jump in puzzles, and so I try to bring in all different varieties because I never know what people are looking for.” 

 

Chelsea Westerbeek from LR Horse & Pet says she has been spending her summer working on their new location. 

“We have been busy growing since the move, we have quite a bit more space and that means we can bring in a lot more product, so I've been busy getting new stuff in the store and getting that all set up.” 

Although she’s busy with the new space, she is making sure to make time for summer fun. 

“Everything is getting settled in the store, and then I'm hoping to take a take a couple of days and go camping with the family.” 

Westerbeek says since the move, they have got a lot of new pets. 

“Anybody looking for a new little friend, we've got lots of options. Our Fish Department has expanded quite a bit, we've got some reptiles, just all around expansion.” 

They have got teddy bear hamsters, dwarf hamsters, guinea pigs, budgies, frogs, and all kinds of all kinds of different fish. 

“We've got a lot of stuff, and we've got more coming yet.” 

 

With files from Carly Koop, Corny Rempel, and Dave Anthony