Fort McMurray business owners call for financial help in face of uncertain future
Ryan Pitchers says for many business owners hit hard by the Fort McMurray fire, the battle has just begun
As Fort McMurray fire captain Ryan Pitchers battled the wildfire known as "The Beast" with all his might, he wondered if his downtown pet food store would survive.
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"Is it going to burn down, is it going to be damaged or what's going to happen in the future?" Pitchers, a co-owner of Pet Valu, asked himself.
As the fire began to retreat from the city, Pitchers spent his downtime with some friends rescuing two hedgehogs, a lizard and other animals from his store.
They've since all found homes by way of a store in Stony Plain. They were sold at a discount, with the money donated to a fire relief fund for their former city.
But now, Pitchers has another rescue on his hands: his business. It's the weighty task facing many Fort McMurray business owners who were already struggling in a slumping economy.
"It was difficult to be able to carry the business on at the time," said Pitchers who, after a day on duty, had arrived at his store to prepare for a massive clean-up planned for Saturday.
Looking around, he pointed out everything that would would end up in two huge orange bins waiting outside — for the safety of people's pets, rows of bagged pet food, dog toys and cat trees would all have to go.
The evacuation has already set businesses back by a month. But many, like Pitchers, still don't know when they'll be back up and running.
He's urging landlords to offer rent reductions, and for the government to provide some sort of financial relief.
"For the fire to hit when it did, that doesn't help anything, obviously, for anybody in the city," Pitchers said.
"I know a lot of small business owners are having a hard time," he said.
Help on the way, mayor says
At the edge of town, one of those businesses is Dunvegan Gardens.
Prior to the evacuation, owner Brad Friesen was already clawing back on overtime and staff to weather the economic storm. Then, heading into his busiest season, along came the wildfire.
As the flames roared closer, Friesen and his staff put out food and water. Then they opened pens and fences, freeing a dozen pigs, six sheep and 90 chickens, as well as birds and rabbits so they could eat grass, drink water at the river and make a run for it if needed.
"At least, if you give them a chance, you've done all you can," Friesen said.
After his return on Thursday, Friesen wandered the property checking on his animals. Most survived thanks to the care of firefighters and other staff, who even held them to relieve their stress.
Friesen felt relieved, too, as he took in the fire's footprint surrounding three sides of his property, just 50 metres away.
But like most of his community, he didn't escape unscathed. 15 per cent of his plants are gone. He's feeling the strain of helping 35 employees now displaced across the country.
If they're going to do anything, do it sooner rather than later.- Brad Friesen
And at his store, he figures he's lost about half a million dollars in revenue, which wasn't insured.
Friesen pointed out many businesses that are now struggling are the source of livelihood for other residents. He said business owners need the government's help.
"If they're going to do anything, do it sooner rather than later," said Friesen, pointing out bills and staff source deductions are due, but there is no money coming in.
He also urged governments to hire locally as the rebuild gets underway.
On Friday evening, Friesen was busy re-stocking his greenhouse with marigolds, petunias, vegetables and herbs.
He said he will have a better idea of what the future holds for his business after his grand re-opening on Saturday.
On Friday, Wood Buffalo mayor Melissa Blake encouraged people to shop locally, and indicated help was on the way for small business through a program recently approved by council.
"The elements of plan will evolve as we get to better know what the needs of our business community would be," Blake said.
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