For this week’s Business Spotlight, we popped into Sunworks Living, located at #110, 4913 Gaetz Ave in the heart of Downtown Red Deer. Visitors to this unique shop are treated to a shopping experience like no other in Red Deer. The selection of high-quality products and expert customer service allow Sunworks to stand out, and why people keep coming back. We sat down with Kathryn Harris of Sunworks to learn more about this exceptional downtown business.

What is your business?

We are Sunworks Living, quality gifts and local art gallery, we offer a unique shopping experience.

When did your business open?

The business opened May 10^th, 1996.

What makes your business unique?

Our focus is on local products, so we try and bring in unique, local but very curated pieces. Some of our works in the store are from a few neighborhoods away, others are from as far away as Quebec. We try to stay as Canadian as we can. We do have an emphasis on staying environmentally friendly so some of our products do come from away, but they are a little more sustainable.

What are some products/services that you offer?

Local is one of the key things for the business. We showcase local art, we build special order pieces with local materials based on customer-specific requests, we are very particular as to what we bring into the store, it must be of a certain quality, not found anywhere else. In-store, we carry housewares, handmade natural soy candles, greeting cards, books, kitchenware, a little bit of everything.

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

When Paul and Terry started Sunworks, Downtown Red Deer was a desolate wasteland. Paul grew up in Calgary and it was very important to him that the downtown be the beating heart of the city. At the time you could virtually hear the slamming of the wooden outhouse door and tumbleweed rolling across the street, but downtown is where they always wanted to put their business. I’ve heard Paul say to Terry,’ we need to do something about the downtown or we need to move’ so, they felt compelled to get involved and felt a call for change. The community has always been very important.

What do you think makes Downtown vibrant?

The people that work here. I can stand outside in front of the store in the sun on a Tuesday afternoon and can greet people as they walk by. I will see businesses across the street, and we give each other ‘the nod’ in greeting. You must acknowledge the people that are here. 

Finish this sentence: I love Downtown Red Deer because…

It’s where I work, where I play and it’s close to home. It’s close to pretty much all homes in Red Deer because it’s the heart of the city. You must go through the downtown to get anywhere anyway so why wouldn’t you stop?

The charm and relaxed atmosphere of this quaint shop make it a pleasure to be in. The perfect gift is easily found with the help of the friendly and highly knowledgeable staff, as the possibilities are endless. Give yourself time to browse, there is a lot to discover!

Make sure to follow Sunworks Living:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/sunworks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunworks/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sunworksreddeer

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From the Central Alberta Soroptimist Club

Central Alberta Soroptimist Celebrate International Women’s Day

Soroptimist International of Central Alberta is please to host their International Women’s Day Garden Party on Sunday, March 8 from 2 to 5 pm at the Penhold Memorial Hall in Penhold.  Tickets are $25.00 each and available on Eventbrite.  Our guest speaker will be Councillor Teresa Rilling from the Town of Sylvan Lake.

Soroptimist International is a women’s organization that goes to great lengths to promote concerns, challenges and achievements of women everywhere. With the multiple award programs of the organization, deserving women and girls in the community are recognized and honoured.

“We are very pleased this year to present Ashley Jackson with our “Ruby Award: Women helping Women”, said Sherri Smith, of Soroptimist International.  Ashley Jackson Boudoir is a Red Deer portrait studio that focuses on female empowerment.  This award honours a woman that has worked to improve the lives of women and girls through their professional and volunteer work, and Ashley says that sums up her life’s goal in one magical sentence!

The club will also present the first “Live Your Dream Award” to Adra Mckenzie, a single mom of two boys from Lacombe.  She is enrolled at Burman University taking her Bachelors BioMedical Sciences with the intention of one day becoming a pharmacist.  The second “Live Your Dream Award” will be presented to Cheralee von Gunten, a single mom of four from Red Deer.  She is currently enrolled at Athabasca University taking her Bachelor of Arts in English and Bachelor of Arts in Women’s and Gender Studies.  She intents to pursue a career in writing, or in a field that contributes to addressing women’s issues.  The third “Live Your Dream Award” will be presented to Lindsey Steeves, a single mom of two from Eckville.  She is currently enrolled at Grant MacEwan University completing a Correctional Services Diploma.  Her goal is to obtain a career that will allow her to support her children and pursue a career within the Correctional System of Canada.

The Violet Richardson Award (for young girl volunteers) will be presented to Santera Ogles of Blackfalds, a Grade 10 student at Ecole Secondary Lacombe Composite High School.  Her volunteer effort include the Red Deer Regional Hospital, JS McCormisk School and fundraising projects for Safe Harbour.

For more information about the International Women’s Day Garden Party or Soroptimist International, call Sherri Smith at 403-391-7912 (cell) or visit us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.