Find A Downtown Business
All We Offer in Downtown Red Deer
The Downtown Market
Our downtown market is back, bigger than ever, and on the street. Don’t fall off the turnip truck, look for it and other fresh delights right on Gaetz Avenue from the corner of Ross Street right to 48 Street (Alexander Way). Bread, veggies, honey and much more. Wednesdays from 4pm-7pm straight through to October 3. Rain or shine! Many of our merchants are open late to serve you on Wednesdays. Drop into their shops and say hello.
Time For Lunch
The following exceptional downtown restaurants are taking place in an innovative lunch promotion from June 4-28. They have received marketing dollars and campaign strategy from the Red Deer DBA.Thank you for seeing the value of working together to make Downtown vibrate with full-bellied shoppers:
Centrefest
This is the 10th Anniversary of Centrefest presented by MNP, and as a value add for our beloved businesses, everyone is encouraged to bring their wares onto the sidewalk. Please contact us at the DBA office so we can add you to our site map and help ensure you get the most visibility possible. There are still opportunities for sponsorship. Creative ways to partner with us can have big returns for your business.
The Ross Street Café
Back by popular demand, the Ross Street Café is going to have tables out along with the piano for a beautiful European style atmosphere. Turn yourself into a solar panel from sitting in the sun with a latte on June 1, after a little bit of construction. And feel free to join us for information sessions on Gaetz Avenue revitalization each Wednesday at the Scott Block in the DBA board room from 5-6pm.
Downtown Red Deer truly is the most diverse and interesting area of town. Come on down to take a look for yourself.
Local Business Profiles
Talk of the Town
Thursday, August 18th 2011
The clothing store, Talk of the Town, was introduced to Nicole and Wanda Hewitt in July 2011. This mother/daughter team bought the business from Joan Waddell who had owned the store for many years before. Nicole (daughter) was a former salon owner and needed a change of pace while Wanda (mother) was looking for a new career change. This pair enjoys being downtown because of all the hustle and bustle that occurs during the day. “We have a good, existing clientele and the downtown is just a busy, friendly, exciting place to be. We also have so many great business neighbours,” says Nicole.
The Soundhouse
Thursday, August 4th 2011
After buying former music store, Records to the Rafters, local musicians and realtors, Davin Kemshead and Mike Williamson, renamed and reopened The Soundhouse in February 2010. “We didn’t want to see the store close and we felt there was a need for this music store to remain in the downtown,” says Davin, co-owner. The Soundhouse provides possibly the most diverse musical selection in Red Deer. From guitars and amplifiers, stomp boxes and strings, turntables and DJ gear to vinyl records and CDs, The Soundhouse will tickle the musical bone in anybody. Even diverse in its sounds, The Soundhouse carries everything: classical, blues, jazz, electronic, rock, metal, hip hop, and independent music. They also feature music from local artists.
The Bistro On Gaetz
Wednesday, July 13th 2011
Former City of Red Deer employee, Susan Malcolm, went from buying lattes to crafting those sweet, frothy beverages that coffee lovers everywhere fawn over. As a coffee aficionado herself, Susan has relished the idea of owning her own coffee shop for about 10 years. This dream was finally realized on June 20, 2011 when Susan bought the Bistro on Gaetz, located on little Gaetz Avenue in the hub of downtown, from previous owner, Candace Dunning.
Crop Hair Boutique
Thursday, June 30th 2011
Squashing the notion of run-of-the-mill hair salons, Crop Hair Boutique exploded onto the hairstyling scene in February 2009 with vibrancy and color. They are Central Alberta’s most unique salon destination, and approach their work with creativity, passion and a deeply instilled sense of service. Above all having a great time with everything we do. Owners Aaron and Katherine Bouchard took over an existing hair salon and transformed it into a bright and exciting, yet vintage and relaxed salon. Describing her salon, Katherine adds, “We are fresh and fun. [We are about] beautiful and natural hair.”
Bling By Bev
Wednesday, June 15th 2011
Bling by Bev is a new business to the downtown area that opened up in February 2011. This charming shop is owned by Bev Anderson who was born in Central Alberta and just moved back to Red Deer from Calgary. She is an entrepreneur who enjoys designing jewelry with Swarovski Crystal, and also carries a unique variety of Ladies Fashion Accessories and a large variety of Swarovski Charm Beads.
Bev opened her store downtown because there is lots of foot traffic and activity going on. Most of the traffic that makes their way into her store are women. "They come in to browse and we usually get carried away chatting. We also have a lot of fun designing jewelry and picking out accessories” says Bev. When asked what her most memorable customer experience is, she said all of them.
The Barbershop on Gaetz
Wednesday, June 1st 2011
The Barber Shop on Gaetz is a historical landmark of the downtown. The business was established almost 100 years ago, and has its eighth owner, Selene Fraser, managing the business and taking care of clients. Selene has 26 years experience as a barber, and she credits her longevity and success to loving the people who she helps every day. “Being a barber is a great profession,” she claims, “I just love hearing the stories and jokes from my customers. I meet people from every walk of life, and I love hearing the stories from all of them.”
The shop is unique, it is small and intimate, and you can feel the history in the shop. The throwback styling of The Barber Shop on Gaetz makes you feel like you are in a different time, and the one on one interaction between Selene and Innes and their customers helps build that feeling. “Every customer is a new experience” says Selene, “my customers make this all worth while”.
Paper Crane Gallery
Wednesday, May 18th 2011
Paper Crane Gallery opened officially May 17th, 1999. And they are proudly celebrating their 12th year this week.
When Paper Crane first opened they featured the authentic silk Japanese wedding kimono, tableware, sushi making supplies and other Japanese themed gift wear. Fairies and real crowns came later. The product mix reflects the Paper Crane philosophy on retailing. The paper crane is a symbol of hope, peace and good fortune. Each purchase should come with a small paper crane, yes they fold them all!
Intuition Massage and Pilates Clinic
Wednesday, May 4th 2011
Intuition Massage and Pilates Clinic has been open in our downtown since 2006, when Peggy Glasgo, owner and operator and STOTT Pilates Instructor, purchased Stephenson Muscle Therapy and Rehab Services and moved her business to Red Deer. Peggy had previously operated Intuition out of Medicine Hat for five years. Peggy is a classical dancer with a background in ballet and contemporary dance, which lead her to Pilates, yoga and fitness. This opened the door to personal training and instructing, which led Peggy to massage therapy, and opening her own Massage Therapy clinic, Intuition Massage and Pilates Clinic.
housewarmings
Thursday, April 21st 2011
A downtown shopping staple since 2002, housewarmings has re-opened the doors of its Ross Street store on April 8. It is once again stocked with some of the most unique and interesting handicrafts you will find in Red Deer. The store contains a wide variety of products, focussing most heavily upon art and crafts from Thailand, as well as some artwork from local artists. Robb filled an entire container with carefully selected products from Thailand. All the imported products are produced by small businesses, individuals and families who specialize in one product. These products are not massed produced, and it is likely that most will only be found in one place in the entire province, housewarmings. One example of these unique pieces is the clay animal pots she is selling. They are a sight to behold, with wide smiles and gaping mouths, these pots are truly an exotic and fun addition to the store.
ALTA Boutique
Thursday, March 24th 2011
ALTA is a unisex clothing boutique, located in the heart of the downtown at 4930A Ross Street. ALTA carries fashion forward brands such as Nudie Jeans, Insight, RVCA, and Toms Shoes, just to name a few. Noel Wyman, owner and operator of ALTA Boutique is constantly on the lookout for new brands.
