Alberta,

Today the government announced increased restrictions resulting in some business have to shut their doors again. For example, one of my home town gyms.

The gym is family owned and already had to survive a prolonged lockdown earlier this year and will have to again for at least this month. I know the protocols they had in place and they went above and beyond government requirements to protect their members and community.

It’s by no fault of their own that they have to shut down again and suffer the financial and psychological stresses.

Kenda and I have income right now so we called in after the announcement and renewed my membership for the month knowing that I will never be able to use it.

First lockdown the owners refused to utilize memberships to float cost and froze them for their members. I thought this was selfless and spoke to their character. This time I insisted they burn the membership and if they were shut down in another month I would renew again.

Many of these businesses didn’t just start up for themselves but also the community. If you have the disposable income please support your community businesses that, in turn, support our community.

These businesses are being categorized as “essential” or “non-essential” but they are essential to the community, owners, and people they employ.

Spend local, support local, avoid box stores when possible, and INVEST in your communities future.