9 Fredericton Small Businesses That Opened Or Expanded During The Pandemic
FREDERICTON – While the Covid-19 pandemic has put a cloud over the business community in New Brunswick, some entrepreneurs in Fredericton were ready to weather the storm and moved ahead with their business ventures.
With Small Business Week upon us, we’re shining a light on the entrepreneurs who have displayed the courage and resilience of the business community across Greater Fredericton.
“The pandemic has had a tremendous impact on small business,” said Bruce McCormack, General Manager of Downtown Fredericton Inc. “The entrepreneurs have had to revalue and relook at their business and change in order to survive and some have done that extremely well.”
“It’s really really encouraging to see even during a pandemic how our downtowns can remain vibrant and can see new business come in.”
Here’s a non-exhaustive list of small businesses that have opened or expanded in the Greater Fredericton area:
The Cultural Market
Home to many small businesses, including Café Loka, Pinoy Point, Saffron Indian Foods, and Sun Prince, the Cultural Market had originally planned to move to 435 King Street downtown Fredericton in March, but instead opened in May after the province moved back to Phase Yellow.
Their new location allows space for new vendors to sell food and beverages to their downtown customers.
Read more about The Cultural Market here.
PJ’s Wings an Things
After starting out of Northside Market, Peter Jones of PJ’s Wings an Things transitioned to a food truck in 2018. In October, Jones has opened his first full-time location on 38 Main Street.
“I would say probably 90 percent of the decision was made because of the demand,” Jones said.
Serving his usual chicken and fish, Jones has expanded his menu to include wraps and salads that weren’t feasible when he operated out of his food truck.
Read more about PJ’s Wings an Things here.
HaliMac Axe Throwing
After finding success in St. John’s, Newfoundland under the name Jack Axes and in Halifax, the HaliMac team opened a new location in Fredericton earlier this month.
“We’ve just been slowly growing our business and our brand for years now and Fredericton seemed like a logical next step for us,” says Adrian Beaton, who co-founded the business with his cousin, Paul MacInnes.
A place for grownups to gather, have a drink, and toss some axes, HaliMac opened their bar at 83 Cityview Avenue on the North Side. In the new year, their Fredericton location plans to host official World Axe Throwing League games.
Read more about HaliMac here.
The Nest
A partnership between Planet Hatch and The Cap, The Nest opened at the end of August as a new co-working space downtown that supports early-stage entrepreneurs and start-ups.
“Even in a small town like Fredericton, there can be a barrier of proximity or geographical location,” said Adam Peabody, director of Planet Hatch.
“And so, what we had been told by some [entrepreneurs is] … that they had hoped that we would be able to provide a home for them as well and most of them are in the downtown business district.”
The Nest offers 24/7 membership access to the space, wi-fi, mentorship, and other Planet Hatch services.
Learn more about The Nest here.
Stmr.36 BBQ & Social
Paying tribute to the steamship era, Delta Hotels by Marriott Fredericton’s new restaurant opened in July.
“We want it really to be comfort food that you can come [eat] with your kids or you come with your friends or you can come in a dress [or] a suit,” Greg Godfrey, food and beverage director said.
Stmr.36 offers a unique dining experience that invites visitors to sample almost everything on the menu from the “Burnt End Poutine” to the “Chef’s Badass Burger”.
Learn more about Stmr.36 BBQ & Social here.
Lulujo
Lulujo’s line of premium baby products has been carried in thousands of stores worldwide but in October, they opened their flagship store in downtown Fredericton.
Known for their top-selling multi-functional cotton muslin swaddling blanket, Lulujo has been selling their products online and through other retailers since 2009.
“So many people will say, ‘We can’t even believe Lulujo is from Fredericton. We had no idea,’” says Dawn Pottier, the company’s founder. “So we wanted to bring that back and have a place for Lulujo that people can come in and see our products and also test out our products.”
They opened their location at 480 Queen Street in order to better connect with their customers, offer limited edition products, and to have more space for inventory as demand has continued to increase.
Learn more about Lulujo here.
My Home Consignment
My Home Consignment opened in May at 5 Acorn Street selling gently used modern home décor.
My Home Consignment encourages people around Fredericton to bring in their furniture and home décor and become consignors.
Learn more about My Home Consignment here.
Pür and Simple
Located at 5 Acorn Street, the breakfast chain continued their expansion in Atlantic Canada with its Fredericton location in April.
Pür and Simple offers a wide range of breakfast, brunch, and lunch items on a rotating menu that changes every six months.
“It’s been a total success from the time that we announced we were opening in Moncton, New Brunswick in April 2018,” said Christian Martin, the chain’s developer for Atlantic Canada.
The opening of Fredericton’s location also marked New Brunswick’s sixth location – the most locations of any other province.
Learn more about Pür and Simple here.
Hanson Road Flower Co.
Florist Riannon McVay opened her brick and mortar floral design studio and plant boutique at 546 Brunswick Street in June.
Hanson Road Flower Co. offers a range of styles from botanical and wild to classical and romantic.
They offer pickup and delivery. Their studio includes pots, plants, and vases for purchase as well as the opportunity to come into the store and choose your own custom bouquet.
Learn more about Hanson Road Flower Co. here.
Related:
- 8 Small Businesses In The HRM That Opened During The Pandemic
- 6 Businesses That Set Up Shop In Saint John During Covid-19
- 7 Small Businesses In Greater Moncton That Opened Or Expanded During The Pandemic