Local movement is helping startup businesses grow

EDMONTON - The owner of Edmonton's successful Duchess Bakery gave new local entrepreneurs a chance to showcase their businesses this weekend.

Garner Beggs knows first-hand how difficult it is to start a business in Alberta's capital.

"Edmonton's kind of a hard town for people starting out," he says. "People don't realize this but real estate - especially commercial real estate in this town - is really expensive, especially if you're in an area like downtown or Whyte Ave, any of these high traffic areas."

So to help some startup companies get out of the starting gate, Beggs decided to open up the space he's leasing next door to his bakery on 107 Avenue and 124 Street for a pop-up craft sale.

Marissa Loewen, the show manager of the On the Spot Pop-Up Craft Sale, says the concept of the event not only gives up-and-coming entrepreneurs the opportunity to show off their products without the usual marketing costs, but it also encourages shopping local.

"The ability that we can shop, grow, make, produce within our community and then have our community come and buy that. It's just a real great circle for the economy."

It's an opportunity Amy Beaith appreciates, not just because it allows her to sell and promote her product, but also because it's been a great platform to learn how to run a successful business.

"You get different suggestions of like, 'oh, have you ever thought of making this' or, 'oh, what about that,' so, it's really nice to pick off those suggestions," she says.

For more information on local pop up craft sales click here.

With files from Slav Kornik, Global News