Small Business Week kicks off today, and the Cochrane and District Chamber of Commerce (CDCC) is marking the week-long celebration by buying coffee for local residents at local coffee spots across town.

Chamber President, Ozzie Sawicki says that this week is all about recognizing and supporting our local small businesses.

"This is a small way we can show our support for some local businesses and tie it into our broader Cochrane Loves Local campaign," explains Sawicki. 

CDCC Executive Director Kelly Carson will be at a new location at 9 a.m. each day this week, and the first 20 people to stop by and say 'hi'  will be treated to a free coffee courtesy of the Chamber.

The first location will be at Mezzo Cafe on Tuesday, October 19 and locations for the remainder of the week are as follows:

  • Wednesday - Coffee Traders 
  • Thursday- Good Earth
  • Friday- Guy's Cafe and Bakery
  • Saturday- Patsy's Place

Sawicki acknowledges that the pandemic has created many obstacles for small business owners and he says that there are several ways to shine the spotlight on Cochrane's small business community.

"Small businesses are the engine of our community and they have faced incredible challenges for the past year and a half,” says Sawicki. "As a small business owner myself, I relate to the need to adapt and be flexible, and I also know how stressful and exhausting that can be."

He goes on to say that "Cochrane Loves Local is really about creating a platform for locals to show their support for the local businesses in the community, by doing something as simple as sharing a review online."

Small Business Week runs from Monday, October 18 to Friday, October 22.