Once again COVID 19 puts pressure on the Alberta economy, small business in particular. On November 13, 2020, the Alberta government instituted targeted public health measures with additional enhanced public health measures announced on November 24th with the State of Public Health Emergency declared.

Medicine Hat's numbers have increased to 90+ (147/100,000) in the past week and the province has seen daily increases including a record high on Sunday November 22, 2020 when 1,584 new cases were confirmed. According to www.alberta.ca, the new enhanced public safety measures include (but are not limited to): no indoor social gatherings in any settings, mask use encouraged in all indoor workplaces, employers encouraged to provide remote work options where possible, restaurants and pubs have heightened measures and must stop liquor sales by 10pm, limits of 10 people for weddings and funerals, a 25% capacity restriction on most retail businesses, entertainment and event services, and limitations to appointment only for other businesses. These are just some of the measures and are, of course, in addition to the basic measures of physical distancing, good hygiene, monitoring of your symptoms, and staying home if you are sick etc. (for further information/clarification please check out www.alberta.ca)."

So, is it all bad news for small independent business? Not in the Hat. The shopHERE powered by Google program, in partnership with Apex (Community Futures Entre-Corp), Invest Medicine Hat and the Medicine Hat and District Chamber of Commerce has future-proofed approximately 130 businesses in Southeast Alberta.

Here is the list of stores, restaurants and artists that have launched online stores through the shopHERE program: www.buttermeupnatural.ca www.theclaytrade.ca, www.glitteroos.ca, www.thekommon.ca, www.runwaysboutique.com, www.loonandbloom.ca, www.bradleighgecko.com, www.sedonanorth.ca, www.engagingminds.ca, www.bugandbeannutrition.com, www.zenhouse.ca, www.Mhfoodbankshop.ca/collection/all, www.thepageandwhisker.ca, www.sourceforsports.ca/en-CA/shop-local/sports-connection-medicine-hat.aspx, https://shop.memlane.com/category/desktops, www.thaiorchidroom.ca, https://www.icymountainwater.com/shop-all, https://bythec.ca/, www.salonpurity.ca, www.earlyreadersacademy.ca, www.nolimitexteriors.com, www.integrityspinalcare.com, www.truenorthcanine.com, www.jeffnoon.ca, www.princeinnovation.com, www.littleowllearningcentre.ca, www.tammynunweiler.ca, www.sunvalleysolar.com, http://www.gardenofbreathin.com/, www.firstimpressionstudio.ca, www.advancedmassagetherapist.ca, www.yogau4ia.com, www.avaralandscaping.com/shop/, www.julienicolephotography.com/, www.adayinthelifephotography.ca, www.travoisbeer.com, www.sarahrivard.com, www.triplewgascoop.ca, and www.rusticrose.org.

There are many more stores, restaurants and artists in the program that are close to launching. Keep googling your local stores to see what's new out there and stay tuned for our next announcement in early December when we make it even easier for you to #shoplocalonline.

If you are an independent store in Southeast Alberta and you haven't signed up for the shopHERE program to have your online store built for you, what are you waiting for? Sign up now at www.apexalberta.ca/shophere.  It's QUICK. EASY. FREE.