Celebrating Small Business Week in the Saint John Region

Celebrating Small Business Week in the Saint John Region

In celebration of the 45th annual Small Business Week, we are highlighting four businesses from across the Saint John Region that contribute to our vibrancy. 

When asked “What does your small business mean to you?” entrepreneurs from the Saint John Region had simple, inspiring answers: 

Happiness. 

Passion. 

Family. 

Self-sufficiency. 

Community. 

Haven Music Hall

In Saint John, Abigail Smith from Haven Music Hall was thrilled to have the chance to speak about her experience opening a small business. 

“Since well before we opened, the community showed up for us; by helping us with renovations, donating to our crowdfunder campaign, by coming out to shows, by sharing resources, recommending our business, giving us feedback, giving us their trust,” explains Abigail. Trust is the basis of how she operates; from the commitment of the community to the confidence of their performing artists, Haven Music Hall’s success is deeply rooted in this sense of trust. 

“The bands that play at Haven sign the wall in our green room, and every one of those signatures represents artists who trusted us enough to play here and the audiences that came out to support independent music and venues.” But the support for the music hall doesn’t stop when the stage lights go out. 

Abigail believes the community wants to see small businesses thrive, and that is evident in the support she receives inside the music hall from guests, but also from other business owners and locals. “One thing I love about having our business in Saint John is the mentality of 'a rising tide lifts all boats', we really feel like Johners want this place to thrive,” Abigail insists. The intimacy of the venue allows Abigail to get to know her regular clients and meet a wide variety of people from the region. “A small music hall can bring a band into your life that an algorithm wouldn’t-- and the small venue lets you connect with the artist as an audience member.” 

“Art and culture are why people stay in cities, and we show our pride of place by making and supporting music and the arts,” Abigail asserts. “I am grateful for people who think of local first.” 

Westfield Golf and Country Club

A short drive up the highway in Grand Bay- Westfield, Steve LeBlanc at Westfield Golf and Country Club has also seen the positive impact of the region choosing to support local—and how businesses can help a community thrive. 

“Working for a small business in a tight-knit community like Grand Bay-Westfield makes for a nice family feel when I come into work each day,” Steve insists with a smile. “We all have a vested interest in making our club and restaurant succeed to help our community grow.” 

The growth has been notable in recent years, as Steve explains: “since COVID, golf has grown exponentially. We now even have a waitlist.” As a not-for-profit business, Steve recognizes that it “takes a village” to ensure a lot of the day-to-day work gets done, “from our incredible board to our members and committees who volunteer to make Westfield golf course enjoyable for everyone,” the entire community contributes to the growing business. 

And the business gives back: as the largest employer in Grand Bay-Westfield, the Golf and Country Club is pleased to support the community in its own way. The club employs juniors for their first jobs, and retired members return to work in the pro-shop, in addition to a fruitful partnership with Cask and Kettle, to ensure guests can enjoy high-quality food after a game on the green. 

Like Abigail, Steve highlights the importance of trust between small businesses and their customers. ”We value every member we have and work hard to earn their trust and keep them returning each season,” he explains. “We couldn’t make it without the support from the Saint John Region.” 

Stoked Pizza

Across the ferry in the Kingston area of the Fundy Rural District, Stoked Pizza enjoys creative freedom with how they run their business. Ever since moving to Canada from the Netherlands, Jos and Frouke were eager to start their own business. As a trained chef, Jos knew he wanted to work with food to provide locals with quality products. In 2021, they launched Stoked Pizza and began traveling to farmers' markets across the region. 

Since then, the pizza wagon has been a staple at markets in Saint John, Hampton, Grand Bay- Westfield, Kingston, and beyond—and they aren’t slowing down. “While our schedule allows for three to four markets a week in the summer, we are still working outside of those hours. We work in the garden to grow produce for the pizzas, maintain the trailer, connect with people, advertise, work on our accounting, and update our social media. It's a lot of work, but it keeps things fresh and diverse.” 

“We have become a bit of a gathering place,” Frouke insists, “people connect while waiting for their pizzas, or they enjoy them together at the market. It's heartwarming to see it all happening in front of the pizza trailer. That kind of bond is unique to this region – it's not something we’ve experienced in other communities in the Netherlands or Western Canada.” 

Community support doesn't stop at the markets —Frouke and Jos have been overwhelmed by the community's encouragement and trust. “We did our first market, and within a few days we had our first catering request for a wedding. The power of word of mouth and the trust that customers put in you, and in your business, is amazing.”

Sweetums Artisan Patisserie

In Rothesay, Elizabeth Case, owner of Sweetums Artisan Patisserie, has worked towards the goal of owning her own business for more than 16 years—and she is thrilled to see her long-term dream come to fruition. “I’ve wanted a version of Sweetums since I was 9. I never wavered from that dream. I have a diploma in both culinary and pastry arts and then pursued my Red Seal. I now hold a Red Seal certificate for both fields,” she explains, setting the scene for how her dream became reality. 

“There's a lot of long days, weeks, and months that all seem to run together, but it comes with freedom and fulfillment that I’m not sure would come from any other job,” she muses, “our clients can talk to us and get to know us—it’s emotional to think of how wonderful the support has been.” 

Through hard work and dedication, Sweetums went from a farmers' market staple to a brick-and-mortar shop in the heart of Rothesay—and the community has come out in droves to support the patisserie. “My favourite quote is also from my favourite movie, Field of Dreams: ‘if you build it, they will come’. And that quote really represented my experience. Our clients show up for us in every way and form, ready to support the business.” Liz insists that the benefits of supporting small businesses doesn’t end with the transaction, “small business owners use their own revenue to support local farmers, butchers, sign shops, jewelry makers—it's a domino effect. Supporting one means you’re supporting others without even knowing it.” 

Beyond supporting the local economy, Liz believes that local businesses also provide better quality products, “I like to think we’re slightly raising the bar of what pastries should be. They should not be mass produced, but made with care from ingredients you know and can pronounce. I have and will always say its quality over quantity. I will never sacrifice our quality to produce a lesser item.” 

Small businesses across the Saint John Region contribute to its vibrancy and livability. Local entrepreneurs show up for the community in many ways—let's take time on Small Business Week, and throughout the year, to appreciate their hard work and determination. 

Let’s show up for our small businesses to ensure our region is Always Moving Forward.