With a mission to inform, empower, celebrate and advocate for British Columbia's current and aspiring business leaders, BCBusiness go behind the headlines and bring readers face to face with the key issues and people driving business in B.C.
Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/751527
"Downtown Langley is a great place to run a specialty confectionary store. With lots of people walking in this compact community, more than 200 people can visit our store in one day — and much, much more during the numerous events like the renowned Good-Times Cruise-In car show. People will come from all over to enjoy our fresh fudge, ice cream, soda pop, and specialty imported candies of countless flavours. Now with gluten-free and sugar- free treats, Sticky's in Downtown Langley offers affordable treats that simply are not available in a typical food store." Sherri Martin, Owner STICKY'S CANDY stickyscandylangley.ca The City of Langley is the place to be... for Savoury Treats S E C T O R P R O F I L E : S P E C I A L T Y F O O D & B E V E R A G E The City of Langley is the place to be for savoury treats. T R E N D S Higher quality gourmet foods, bakery, dairy, and confectionary items are a growing trend in Metro Vancouver and the City of Langley. This affluent population seeks premium food products and greater selection than can be found in a typical supermarket. People want superior quality and are willing to pay more and travel further to obtain it. There is also a growing trend to shift away from mass produced goods with additives, and instead develop niche food markets, where customers can savour higher quality, reconnect with their community and support the regional economy. O P P O RT U N I T I E S The City of Langley is already capitalizing on this growing trend, with several new destination specialty food stores that attract customers from all over BC's Lower Mainland. With lower overhead costs, an affluent trade area population, and a superb quality of life, the City of Langley makes an ideal location to open any specialty food or beverage establishment. In particular, Downtown Langley, with its pedestrian-friendly appeal and supportive business network, provides an ideal location where niche businesses can prosper. "We love Downtown Langley. It has a great pedestrian-friendly atmosphere and a very supportive business community. We've enjoyed 35% growth since moving here. We've won multiple awards, like "Vancouver's Favorite Cupcake." And we have garnered the attention of some very high profile Metro Vancouver customers and international entertainers. From servicing weddings and business events to hosting evening entertainment or high tea in our café, Frosting Cupcakery is part of what makes the City of Langley the place to be." Craig & Melanie McDougall, Owner FROSTING CUPCAKERY & BAKESHOP frostingcupcakery.com The City of Langley is the place to be... for Savoury Treats S E C T O R P R O F I L E : S P E C I A L T Y F O O D & B E V E R A G E instead develop niche food markets, where customers can savour higher quality, reconnect instead develop niche food markets, where customers can savour higher quality, reconnect The City of Langley is already capitalizing on this growing trend, with several new destination specialty food stores that attract customers from all over BC's Lower Mainland. destination specialty food stores that attract customers from all over BC's Lower Mainland. With lower overhead costs, an affluent trade area population, and a superb quality of life, the City of Langley makes an ideal location to open any specialty food or beverage establishment. In particular, Downtown Langley, with its pedestrian-friendly appeal and supportive business network, provides an ideal location where niche businesses can prosper. "We chose Downtown Langley for its central location and tremendous growth potential. We were attracted to the significant improvements being made ... on the rejuvenation of the downtown core. "A huge bonus to this location is the amazing marketing support and events that the Downtown Langley Business Association (DLBA) and City provides to attract consumers to the area. We really lucked out picking this community." Glenn Pineau ALL OF OILS allofoils.com The City of Langley is the place to be... for Specialty Retail S E C T O R P R O F I L E : S P E C I A L T Y R E T A I L Centrally located in BC's Lower Mainland, the City of Langley is a hub of retail activity. With 4.5 million square feet of commercial floor space concentrated in 10 square kilometres, the City of Langley has become one of Metro Vancouver's Regional City Centres. A mecca for big box plazas and expansive shopping malls with plenty of free parking, combined with the relaxed pedestrian-friendly downtown core, the City of Langley is a regional retail destination. O P P O RT U N I T I E S With a growing affluent market, the City of Langley remains a hot destination for retailers. With traffic counts in excess of 55,000 vehicles per day and a potential trading market of $3.84 billion, the City's busy commercial corridor continues to prosper. As urban design trends lean towards creating more authentic retail, social, and livable "Urban Magnets," the City is focusing on enhancing the relaxed, pedestrian-friendly atmosphere of Downtown Langley. An award-winning Downtown Master Plan, combined with the marketing support of the Downtown Langley Business Association, is attracting a number of new destination retailers and property developments. Specific opportunities exist in high fashion, housewares, foodies, outdoor recreation, as well as entertainment and other specialty retail that complements the destination ambience of the downtown core. "We've been operating in Downtown Langley for 10 years, growing by almost 900%! We chose Downtown Langley over other neighbouring communities because we really liked the relaxed atmosphere of the pedestrian-friendly one-way strip. It is truly a lovely experience to stroll among the diverse independent stores and find products you would not find any where else. Combined with affordable rents, marketing support, and a friendly local business community, Downtown Langley is a great place to run a business." Carrie Thachuk, Owner THE PASSIONATE HOME thepassionatehome.com