There is no place like our hometown to shop.
The other evening I was at a dinner party and one of the discussions was all about how the people of Okotoks do not have to leave Okotoks to do their shopping. As one guest said outside a men’s suit shop and a shoe boutique we have everything we need right here.
So this week I thought I would go back to see just how much our business community has grown since 1890.
Our community grew up around a sawmill that was established in 1891, we have seen the government leasing land for one cent per acre ($2.47/km) and the last stagecoach stopped in Okotoks in 1891 when rail service between Calgary and Fort Macleod replaced horse-drawn travel. By 1897 the community name had changed three times: from Sheep Creek to Dewdney to Okotoks, a name assigned to us by the Canadian Pacific Railway. Let’s jump forward a few more years where Northern Wheat was $0.75 a bushel, land was selling at $7.50 to $200 per acre, the Burnsville Brick factory started in 1909 and a book by Colonel A. Wyndham retailed at $1.
Okotoks has had cattle being driven down main street to a level crossing on Sheep River and then on to market, saw mills, brick factories, skating rinks, oil well supply, refineries, hotels, customs offices, restaurants, banks, elevators and at one time there was even talk of having a toy factory located in Okotoks.
As you can see Okotoks has a come a long way since 1879, we now have a population of 23,201, a business trade area of 85,000 people, more than 800 store fronts, 1,570 business licences sold in 2010 and a picturesque downtown boasting quality service, boutique and specialty shopping, and art galleries.
Our business community recently completed a $4.75 million downtown enhancements in 2007 and 2008 that created, among others things, a central gathering place and focal point for the community that have become a magnet for locals and Calgary day-trippers alike. Top off our shopping experience with the tree-canopied ambiance of Elma Street and the new commercial developments in south Okotoks. I can see why the people at the dinner party would say why shop anywhere else but Okotoks.
I needed some help with my details this week and I wanted to thank Mr. Allen King, his group of researchers and the Town of Okotoks for helping me with this column.
So in closing, while you are out shopping this week take some time to stop in and visit with our local venders and let them know just how much you enjoy having them in our community.
