A tale of two Stampedes — business is a mixed bag for vendors

Yahoo

4 days ago

As the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth enters its final weekend, vendors and small business owners in the newly completed BMO Centre are telling a tale of two Stampedes — business is booming for some, while others are barely breaking even.
'With everything going on in the world, I think Canadians are being a little more cautious,' said Paulena Gidda, owner of Bullets N' Beads Jewelry.
'You're looking for Canadian made, you're looking for handmade. You're looking for unique items.'
Bullets N' Beads reuses bullet casings from police or military, turning them into jewelry such as rings, necklaces and bracelets. Partial proceeds are donated back to veteran organizations and mental-health initiatives.
Gidda said that while she thinks attendance is up, her sales are comparable to last year. And while customers are interested, they are sometimes hesitant to pull the trigger.
'It's a competitive market. But then again, being a Canadian artisan is a competitive market,' Gidda said. 'It doesn't matter whether you're at the Calgary Stampede, the farmers market or any other venue, right? It's getting harder and harder as a small business.'
First-time vendor Chanelle Chalazan, owner of Chic and Charmed Boutique, said the large crowds aren't necessarily translating to sales.
'There's lots of people walking in here, but they're not really buying,' said Chalazan, who normally operates her business in Saskatoon.
'It's good that there's lots of vendors, there's lots to do. But I think when you have too much, there's too much for people to look at, so then they don't feel like buying.'
While she is satisfied with her time at the Stampede, Chalazan said she wouldn't likely return as a vendor.
Link Tong, owner of 3D pop-up card art shop Roses Without Thorns, is familiar with the risks of running such a business at the Stampede.
'Out of all the big shows in Canada, all the summer fairs I've done, the cost per day in Calgary is the highest. So it's a big factor for small businesses like us,' he said.
Tong said his fifth year attending the Stampede as a vendor has been slower than normal. He speculated that could be due to a variety of factors, including fewer U.S. visitors, weather or the popularity of Coca-Cola Stage performers.
'I'm still doing pretty well, because consistency is everything for any kind of business. Especially small businesses and unique products — you need to be patient and build up your followers and clientele,' he said.
Clare Marshall, author and owner of Faery Ink Press, said her first time at the Stampede has been a success.
'It's been interesting, because I don't think other people sell books here. As far as I know, I'm the only author, so I think people are pleasantly surprised to see me,' said Marshall.
But is the cost of running a booth in the BMO Centre worth it for Marshall?
'The short answer is yes. The long answer is definitely yes,' she said. 'Every little thing you do adds up. And people don't always remember what you say, they remember how it made them feel.'
For sellers at Elbow River Camp, business has been slower.
'I think it's the location,' said Pearl White Quills, owner of Indigenous beadwork shop Bright Swan Creations.
'A lot of people who do come through, they've been coming to Stampede for some years now. They have said that they didn't know that this was here.'
White Quills said better signage on the midway might help direct more visitors to the camp, which is across the bridge south of the BMO Kids' Zone.
For other vendors, the quiet riverside location is more of a plus.
'This is kind of like a hidden gem,' said Aaron Many Guns, owner of Raven Willow Creations. 'It's a lot calmer, and people can come and rest and recharge.
'And then, off into the chaos.'
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