As expected after the evacuation, businesses have been re-starting slowly. Many are sure to have fears of how they could survive from the three weeks of lost of revenue, while still facing bills that need to be paid.
The Yellowknife Book Cellar is one of them.
Jennifer Baerg Steyn, the storeSA国际影视传媒檚 owner, has been struggling to keep her business afloat after being evacuated. She and her partner have been relying on a GoFundMe campaign set up by their friends to cover the operating costs of their store, which include rent, salaries, and other expenses. The campaign has raised around $8,000 of the $22,390 goal as of press time.
Baerg Steyn said she is grateful for the support, but knows that she is not the only one facing hardship.
SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e very mindful that we are not unique in this struggle. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 everybody,SA国际影视传媒� she said.
She feels that the territorial government should stepping up with more financial assistance for the small businesses affected by the evacuation.
She said the $5,000 Support for Entrepreneurs and Economic Development (SEED) Grant from the GNWT and the $5,000 grant from BDIC were not enough to cover one monthSA国际影视传媒檚 rent for her store.
SA国际影视传媒淚 get that money doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 grow on trees. But at the same time, I struggle with the fact that during Covid-19, there was such a willingness to provide financial support when many businesses in some way could possibly have some kind of an income,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淏ut every business here had no opportunity for an income. And yet the money coming to us is really small.SA国际影视传媒�
Baerg Steyn said she was paying her and her partnerSA国际影视传媒檚 hotel fees from their own pocket, even though there were vouchers was available to them. They had insurance to cover their personal expenses, but not their business losses.
SA国际影视传媒淭here were people who may not have (had) a car to travel, or they were struggling where to live, so we just left the space for the people who really in need,SA国际影视传媒� she said.
How often does Baerg Steyn look at the GoFundMe page? As little as possible, she said.
SA国际影视传媒淚 donSA国际影视传媒檛 look at the page, I have no idea whatSA国际影视传媒檚 going on. I would have been happy if we raised $50 or if we hit our goal. I just emotionally canSA国际影视传媒檛 deal with it,SA国际影视传媒� she said.
Baerg Steyn said she wants to express her gratitude for the work been done by the volunteers and the firefighters who helped protect Yellowknife from the fire. She said that she hopes that the community can come together and be thankful for the fact that they all came through this with no loss of life or buildings.
