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Downtown seeing variety and quality in new stores

Empty downtown stores haven’t stopped some entrepreneurs from offering some exclusive products
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Left: Dean Buchfink stands in front of one of the many walls in his Timber Tone Audio store on the corner of Chipman Avenue in downtown Ponoka. Right: Abby Yaworski shows off some of the home décor she will be selling at Mi Casa Imports. Her new store is the same location as the former Leland Liquor Loft.

Empty downtown stores haven’t stopped some entrepreneurs from offering some exclusive products destined to stir some excitement in Ponoka’s downtown area.

One such company is Mi Casa Imports, fresh on the downtown scene – the grand opening is today – selling items and furniture for home at a avenue that used to be a liquor store.

Owner Abby Yaworski says liquor sales tanked after the implementation of the Business Hours Bylaw last year and the new reality was forcing her to rethink her business model.

“Business has been forcing me to think outside the box for several years,” said Yaworski.

She was inspired by Busted Ladies Lingerie, which she feels is a niche store that sees customers not only from Ponoka but other communities as well.

“I thought what could I do that’s unique? And I thought Mexican Imports,” said Yaworski.

She enjoys the culture and beauty in crafts made in Mexico and decided to buy only locally made products. Yaworski intends to change what is sold each season to give buyers a variety of product.

Expect a variety of furniture products, blown glass, lamps, steel products and other items that will beautify a person’s home.

“Some of it is reclaimed and some of it, of course, is made with clay,” she said.

Yaworski looks forward to opening the store to the public; her main focus is going to be ensuring she brings in products that buyers are looking for.

Music to your ears

Timber Tone Audio on the corner of Chipman Avenue is a new store full of thousands of vinyl records and audio equipment including refurbished and new record players. Owner Dean Buschfink said his passion for vinyl and tuning record players turned into a full time job. Setting up shop in Ponoka seemed like a natural decision for him.

Much of his sales is through eBay and Kijiji but having a storefront will allow him to add music merchandise to the other items he sells at this store. It has been just two months, but Buchfink has found positive response from the community.

Developing his business came from strong marketing in social media and now Buchfink has also started selling amplifiers and customers can even have a listen to old records in the store. He says it’s the love of music that brings people to his store.

“Music is that international language,” says Buchfink.

Coming soon: bigger space for Rip’N Ronnie’s

Fitness buffs are eager to see what Rip 'N Ronnie's fitness will look like at its new location where Shoppers Drug Mart was located.

Rip’N Ronnie’s offers something most gyms do not: 24 hour access through an electronic security system. Owner Sheldon Ronnie says this access caters to shift workers in Ponoka but he has customers from around central Alberta.

The new gym will have two studios with functional training on one side and the regular gym space on the other. He intends to brighten the space by adding windows on the storefront and wants to have a space for other disciplines such as yoga and Zumba.

“I’m going to get some kids’ boot camp going once this is all done,” he added.

Ronnie says the space is just over twice the size of his current location. Security is important to him and he monitors the store closely and has access to who uses the gym and when. Ronnie said he expects to open before the end of the year and is excited with recent developments in the downtown area.