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Red Deer Downtown Business Association

Downtown Business Spotlight: MC College

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This week’s Business Spotlight shines on MC College! This unique school is located right on Ross Street (5008 50 ST)

What is your business?

MC College is a Private Vocational School delivering career training in the fields of Hairstyling, Esthetics, Nail Technician and Make Up Artistry.  As part of that training, MC College provides salon and spa services to the general public at reduced prices.  

When did your business open?

MC College opened in Red Deer in 1980.  

What makes your business unique?

We have dedicated nearly 100 years of mentoring and empowering students with skills to enjoy rewarding careers in the Beauty Industry.  We partner with local salons/spas and industry innovators to provide our students with advanced workshops, work experience placements and help them find their dream job.  

We are committed to supporting our community. Every year, we give out up to $500,000 in scholarships to High School Students throughout Alberta In addition to scholarships, we support the community through charitable donations in the form of services, products and dollars. A few not for profits we support: Mustard Seed, John Howard Society, Central Alberta Women’s Shelter, Women’s Fun Run to name a few.  

     

What are some products/services that you offer?

Our primary product is Hairstyling and Esthetics Education. We also offer short certificate courses in specialized areas such as: eyelash extensions, makeup, artificial nails, nail technician and skin care technician. These certificate courses offer flexibility for students who are not able to go to college full time.  Many of our courses can be offered both in person and virtually. 

Our Students receive hands on training in our school salon and spa which is open to the public. Students practice their technical skills in haircutscolours, styling, manicures, pedicures, facials, and other salon and spa services.  These services are supervised by qualified instructors and are offered to the public at reduced prices.   

We also have an online store where you can conveniently shop for an MC College gift card and your favorite beauty products. Curbside pick up available! https://mccollegereddeer.square.site/ 

        

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

We wanted to be in the heart of the city. It’s centrally located with high visibility and accessible to everyone.  

What do you think makes Downtown vibrant?

Downtown has a different vibe than anywhere else in the city because of the variety of types of businesses here. From the business owners to the visitors of Downtown, there is so much diversity 

 As supporters of the LGBTQ2S+ community, the addition of the Pride crosswalk sets Downtown apart from the rest of the city because it is a symbol of the community coming together. There is a sense of community here in Downtown which makes it so unique.  

I love Downtown Red Deer because… ….It is resilient and creative. We love that there is a sense of community. Downtown is the heart and soul of the city. 

Website: Red Deer – MC College

Instagram: MC College (@mccollegegroup) 

Facebook: MC College Red Deer 

We serve approximately 500 businesses and property owners in Downtown Red Deer, Alberta. Our Mission is to build an engaged Downtown community, develop a Downtown brand and enhance the Downtown experience.

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Red Deer

Red Deer DBA announces Entertainment District events

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With great enthusiasm and anticipation, the Downtown Business Association (DBA) is thrilled to share some exciting updates and plans for the future! After careful consideration and a deep understanding of our community’s needs, we are here to announce our latest developments.

Firstly, while we understand the disappointment caused by the cancellation of the upcoming season of the Downtown Saturday Market, we want to assure you that this decision was made with the utmost care and consideration. Our valued vendors and attendees have shown incredible support and enthusiasm for this new venture, and for that, we are truly grateful.

Though we faced time constraints and logistical challenges that hindered our ability to organize the event effectively, we have not lost sight of our mission to bring joy and entertainment to the community. Our plans for the Wednesday Market remain unchanged and we are are thrilled to inform you that the music programming meant for Saturday market entertainment will continue to thrive!

Every Saturday from 2-4pm, the public patio will come alive with soul-stirring performances from amazing artists from all over Central Alberta and beyond. Best of all, this event is free and open to the public, inviting everyone to share in the magic of live music. This will be in addition to the regularly scheduled Tuesday – Friday Programming, with an extra special open mic night every Thursday evening. Friday’s will take it up a notch with business-led events that will make your evenings truly unforgettable.

We have an incredible lineup of events and activities planned for this summer to enhance your enjoyment of the Ross Street Patio, day and night. To stay up-to-date with all the showtimes and artist line-ups, we encourage you to follow us on our social media channels.

In addition, our Host-It! Program offers community partners the opportunity to use the stage every Saturday throughout the summer. Imagine the possibilities—music, theatre, art galleries, and so much more. We are committed to providing a platform for diverse activities that will invigorate the heart of our downtown. And let’s not forget the festivals! The Downtown Business Association is proud to support several upcoming festivals on Ross Street and nearby this summer. These celebrations will infuse the area with a joyful and festive atmosphere, attracting thousands of visitors to revel in the excitement. After immersing yourself in these vibrant events, the Ross Street Patio will be the perfect spot to unwind and savor a refreshing beverage.

Our little Entertainment District has flourished, and we couldn’t be prouder. The first full summer season with this new bylaw in place promises to be an absolute triumph, as we are still the only Entertainment District in Alberta.

Looking ahead, the DBA remains dedicated to fostering a vibrant and thriving downtown. We are already hard at work planning an afternoon market for next year based on valuable community feedback. This revised schedule will provide vendors with greater flexibility and the opportunity to participate in other morning markets. We are committed to announcing and implementing these efforts earlier, ensuring that vendors have ample time to plan their seasons accordingly.

Together, as a united community, we will continue to create successful opportunities for all. Let’s embrace the vibrant future that awaits us and build a downtown that will inspire and uplift us all.

 

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Red Deer

Downtown Business Association announces Saturday market for Red Deer on Little Gaetz

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Red Deer Downtown Business Association launches Downtown Saturday Market

The Red Deer Downtown Business Association (DBA) is proud to announce the launch of a brand-new downtown market for Red Deer, starting Saturday, May 20th at 10am, located on Ross Street and Little Gaetz. 
This open-air urban market will have no restrictions on vendors and can accommodate everyone!  The downtown business community are thrilled to welcome visitors to the core and their offerings are sure to delight.  Attendees can enjoy the many benefits of the Entertainment District, which includes revelling in the numerous food and beverage options on the Ross Street Patio while taking in the local live music.
The cost to be a vendor in the new DBA Downtown Saturday Market is an affordable $40 per week and all vendors must complete an application form to attend.  The application will be live on downtownredder.com on Thursday, April 27th, 2023 (tomorrow) at noon.  The application can be both completed and submitted online.  Once the application is approved, vendors will be contacted by the Market Manager to confirm the online payment process and be provided with a booth number and map for access.
To follow along for the latest information, head to the social media accounts:
Instagram – @reddeerfarmersmarket
“This is an exciting opportunity for the DBA to really showcase the downtown and its businesses.  It will enable visitors to shop local with both the vendors and brick and mortar businesses while exploring some of the other attractions, including the many murals that are located all over downtown”.
Amanda Gould, DBA Executive Director.
“The new DBA Downtown Market will be transformative for downtown Red Deer as it shows the community the countless positive things we have to offer while attracting various demographics.  This is not just a win for the downtown, but for the community, and if we want to succeed in revitalizing the downtown core, this is the biggest and most effective step we can take”.
Brandon Bouchard, DBA Board Chair and General Manager at Tribe Restaurant.
The Downtown Business Association has been operating in Red Deer for 40 years, serving approximately 450 business owners in the Downtown area. Through partnerships and leadership in advocacy and promotion, the DBA is the catalyst for a vibrant and prosperous downtown that is the place to live, work, play and do business.
For more information, please contact:
Amanda Gould Executive Director
Red Deer Downtown Business Association
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