Houston

Article by Sarah Zimmerman

Click here to visit the Houston Chamber of Commerce website.

Houston has had it’s fair share of economic challenges over the years. From mill closures and losing the town’s only dedicated grocery store – it has weathered a lot of ups and downs. But it you ask anyone who lives in Houston, they’ve got something special. Residents in Houston are resilient and they love their community. So when things get tough, they find ways to make proverbial lemons out of lemonade.
The Executive Director of Houston’s Chamber of Commerce is Maureen Czirfusz. She’s been involved in the chamber movement for a long time and is the past president of the BC Economic Development Association.

After the recession of 2008, the community needed something to promote shopping local. Enter the Houston Gift Certificate program. The concept behind the program was to allow people to buy a gift certificate that could be used at any participating chamber member business in Houston. That year $15,000 worth of gift certificates were sold – all of that money staying in the community. Flash forward to 2022 and that program continues to thrive with sales climbing to $98,292 – all benefiting local merchants.
“It’s a true success story of keeping money local,” says Maureen, adding local companies will often buy gift certificates for their employees, so they are not only giving back to their employees, they are giving back to local businesses too.

Over the last 11 years, the home-grown program has kept $873,296 in the Houston community.

Like many communities in the north, COVID presented all sorts of challenges for businesses owners, but that resilient spirit is alive in well.

Miake Elliott owns and operates Pawsome Adventure - a pet supply store that stocks everything from pet food, accessories and toys for domestic cats and dogs. She also carried select outdoor supplies. But soon, she outgrew the space she was in and created two separate businesses – one to focus on the pet supplies and one that focused on outdoor adventure. A cornerstone of her business model for the outdoor store was to focus on brands not carried at other retailers in the region – brands that are made for the demands of our northwestern BC weather but are unique as well. It turned out her strategy has paid off with welcoming clients from around the region.

She’s seen growth in her regional customers who see some of her apparel on her website, but stop in to the store when they are driving through Houston. The pandemic, she says, meant many people were more willing to travel to smaller communities rather than the city, and that translated into more foot traffic.

Her location has become the spot that pet owners can come for reliable advice and healthy food. But the sports side of the store has become a spot where you can not only get geared up for your latest outdoor adventure but get the latest snow report and updates on activities. COVID may have posed many challenges, but it also got people looking for outdoor activities they could do that didn’t break the bank, Elliott.

“Our snowshoeing really ballooned in 2020 so we have supported snowshoeing quite heavily because it was one of those activities you can do with no fees - economically it’s easy to get in to,” says Elliott.

That resiliency and creativity is also alive over at one of Houston’s long time staple restaurant, Pleasant Valley Restaurant.

“When the pandemic hit, within a day they were doing takeout soups and lasagnes,” says

Maureen about Pleasant Valley Restaurant.

“It just amazes me, we have had so many hurdles thrown our way with the closure of the mill, the closure of our grocery store and with every challenge that has been presented to us the community just rises,” says Maureen.

When Houston’s grocery store closed, other businesses stepped up instantly in an effort to meet some of the local demand for grocery supplies. Over at the corner market Northcountry Market/Bulkey Valley Foods, the owner installed a walk-in vegetable cooler to provide fresh goods to the community.

Not only that but it has become known in the valley for having one of the best supplied shops for fresh spices.

Over at Peterbilt, that same value of customer service has been driving their business forward since 2011.

Peterbilt offers truck and equipment sales, parts and accessories and also features a full service machine shop. And like many of the businesses that share the values of giving back to the community, Peterbilt is happy to support all manner of community events, sports teams and fundraisers.

“If you keep your dollars local your money goes back into the community with support and looking after people in the community and the area,” says manager Tim Swain.

Kevin Alles owns Countrywide Printing & Stationery and he agrees that the Houston community is supportive of one another and has embraced what he sees as a growing business community.

“There are a lot of unique businesses in Houston,” says Alles. “In the last few years you definitely see a resurgence with several new stores, cafes and restaurants opening up here.”

One of the things that sets many businesses in Houston apart is their willingness to diversify the products and services they offer, partly in an effort to have multiple streams of revenue, but also to meet the varied needs of the community.

At Countrywide Printing & Stationery you can also find a self-service photo kiosk, a wide selection of books, games and puzzles.

“I think diversifying definitely helps, in a smaller town you have to think outside the box.”

That creativity, resiliency and sense of community defines Houston – so the next time you are stopping for that cup of coffee, stretch your legs, go for a walk and discover what Houston has to offer.

Click here to visit the Houston Chamber of Commerce website.

Prince Rupert