Two new businesses opened their doors in different ways this past week. The Churchbridge Fas Gas, previously known as Stixx Gas Bar, re-opened under new ownership on Thursday. Kaliestas Closet underwent a soft opening as retail stores opened under the second phase of the Re-open Saskatchewan Plan (in progress as of May 19).
Fas Gas – Ravi Akbari
The familiar site of Fas Gas along Highway 16 in Churchbridge is present once again. Ravi Akbari is the store manager while the owner is part of a larger business chain that owns multiple locations in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Ravi had a business idea in mind that he could make the Fas Gas location work. The store is located conveniently along the heavily-travelled Highway16. He pitched his idea to the chain-owner and was met with confidence. The investor and new owner believes in the vision and gave him the go-ahead.
For residents looking to get coffee or gas early in the morning, or a snack later at night, the convenience section will be much appreciated. There are plans to have essential groceries (milk, eggs, bread, etc.) at the store so that residents can access these goods outside of regular grocery store hours. After cleaning out the inside of the building, the plan is to open up a restaurant.
Ravi stated, “I think it will help the local community as well as our business.”
When he first arrived in Churchbridge, he spent ten days alone in isolation setting up the business. During that time he was unable to see anyone as he self-quarantined himself after his inter-provincial travel from Carberry, Manitoba. Now that the doors are open, friendly locals stop by often to say hi and pick up a coffee.
“The love and support people show me in this town made me very relieved. My boss put his faith in me so I want to be successful. When I opened the door, people stopped in often and the local community support is enormous.”
Akbari said, “I would like to do really good for the people of the town. I want to maintain the balance of friendliness and support shown to me from the community.”
One idea in the works is to add a restaurant as part of the confectionary area. The restaurant and gas station combination is a successful model used widely; this would also allow the business to employ more locals as things develop.
Churchbridge residents will be thankful they can get certain essential needs from a store nearby if they are shopping outside of regular grocery store hours; it will save a twenty-plus minute trip to neighbouring communities which residents sometimes take to pick up an item or two. Also, many stores do not open until closer to 8-9 A.M. whereas the Fas Gas plans to open its doors at 6 A.M., possibly even 5 A.M. in the future. While some stores in town close by 5-6 P.M., the Fas Gas plans to keep its doors open until 10 P.M, seven days a week.
Ravi is a one-man-show at the moment, but help is on the way to help with the long hours. A partner is coming to help from Manitoba as well to help lighten the load in the future.
As far as interests, Ravi says, ”I’m a sports guy and I like going for a run. I was a national player for my university in India. I was into boxing, wrestling and I have a certificate to teach self-defence.” He also played soccer and rugby at his school in Ontario, the University of Waterloo.
To help minimize the possible spread of any virus, Ravi said it helps to be the one engaging the pump at the self-serve gas station. He utilizes sanitizers and promotes six-feet of the distance between patrons when shopping in the store.
Kaliestas Closet – Summer Williams
This week also brought an opening to a second Churchbridge business. Kaliestas Closet opened its doors initially in 2015 in Melville and moved to Churchbridge early this year. Owner and manager, Summer Williams works a lot with brides and grads. The company does custom-design jewellery with Swarovski stones and, alongside a handful of other local vendors, they build packages for brides looking for one-stop shopping.
Originally from Vancouver Island, she moved to the area and started Kaliestas Closet to bring the best selection of handcrafted jewellery pieces to customers.
Some monumental projects that Summer has been involved with include building customized jewellery lines for the Humboldt Broncos, the Saskatchewn Roughriders Alumni and the family of Mekayla Bali.
“I worked directly with some of the moms from the Humboldt Broncos and each year we do a custom piece in remembrance of them; I donate 50% to them and we actually raised over $6000 last year. People don’t realize small businesses can give back too, you just may not hear about it as much.”
Her brand works alongside our green and white as a Saskatchewan Roughriders Alumni Perk Partner. Previously, Hillberg & Berk Jewellery also was a Perk Partner but now Kaliestas Closet is the only custom handcrafted jewellery supplier with the alumni association.
There is a collection named “Glimmer of Hope for Mekayla Bali” which helps raise funds for the search for the missing Yorkton resident. The website shopkaliestascloset.com states, “With humble hearts, amazing courage and never ending hope the Kaliestas Closet family is so honoured to team up with the Bali family to raise funds to continue the search for Mekayla. We have designed this necklace and earring set in Teal and Aurora with her mother Paula and will donate 50% of the proceeds to the Bali Family.”
If a community group is interested, Summer works along k what they want, pick colours and a design. We give them paper forms however we also do an online listing right on our website so people who are not part of the team can buy them as well and the group will get money back.”
If you want team colours or a design shaped like a game ball, Kaliestas Closet has you covered. The gems are from Swarovski, a premier manufacturer of crystals who started their work with chandeliers. The stones can even be handcrafted into softballs or basketballs.
In the future, Tarot readings, reiki, an esthetician, a local tattoo artist and local vendor goods will be available.
“We like to support other local entrepreneurs, specifically women if possible“. Williams continued, “All of the Kaliestas Closet designs are all individually designed by us. The sparkle-ball jewellery starts out as individual gems that are hand-set. We work with Swarovski and ethical manufacturers, as everything comes from Italy or the USA.” Through this sourcing process, the company can eliminate the harmful footprint of unregulated labour, such as child labour.
The company has many many happy customers who have allergies or reactions to certain types of jewellery. Summer mentioned that she works with many customers who have this allergy as it is a concern many who wear jewellery deal with.
At the moment, there is a soft opening underway which allows Summer to work through some of the kinks that are present with getting supplies ready.
Although the store is still being filled, it is “historically very full” according to Summer. One feature being added soon is the Swag line, a locally owned golf-wear company from Melville.
There was a store in Melville previously but was recently closed down due to COVID-19. 90% of the company’s business is done online and they offer shipping or pick up options. The showroom in Churchbridge is for shoppers looking for an instant gift they can take home immediately.
The company name comes from Summer’s family as her daughter is named Kalie. She was teased that she was always looking for jewellery and clothing for Kalista’s Closet, thus the name was born.
The company is on Facebook and Instagram for those looking to see their products outside of the store or their website shopkaliestascloset.com