Carrie Sand hands over a moon mist ice cream cone to a hungry customer at the Moose and Squirrel Artisan Village downtown.--NEWS PHOTO MO CRANKER
Opening up a business has always been seen as a risk.
Deciding to open one during a global health crisis is that much riskier.
For Hatters Carrie and Ian Sand, their leap of faith is paying off.
The couple opened Moose and Squirrel Artisan Village downtown in June, during a time of health restrictions and uncertainty.
“There’s always going to be risk involved when you start a business from scratch,” Ian said. “We’re seeing some return customers as time passes, and we’re seeing a lot of new faces every week.
“We’ve actually been pleasantly surprised with how many tourists we see – people driving from Quebec to B.C. stopping here. Those have been amazing conversations to have.”
The Sands were tourists in the Hat not too long ago, as the pair moved to the city more than a year ago. Collectively, Carrie and Ian have been just about everywhere in Alberta and B.C.
“Ian told me about Medicine Hat and how great it is here, so we did the drive from Calgary to here. I was definitely skeptical for a good portion of that drive,” Carrie says. “Once we got here, I definitely realized that this could be our home.”
The pair bought a home and a piece of land downtown, an empty alleyway on Second Street. The couple did not have business plans for the lot, but then COVID-19 happened.
Now that alleyway’s walls have been decorated by local artists. The couple and their staff serve ice cream, sorbet, sundaes and floats out of a sea can. Many nights live music and craft vendors occupy much of the space.
During a time of uncertainty the space brings people together in a safe way.
“When you’re stuck at home, it gives your brain a lot of time to think of ideas,” Carrie said. “We started talking about different business ideas, and things started to get more real.”
“We started asking, ‘What are our favourite things? How can we create the perfect place to work for us?'” said Ian. “We took ice cream, art and gardens and made this space.”
Since opening the space has evolved, and will continue to do with the passage of time.
“Music was never part of the plan,” said Carrie. “We’re just doing our best to work with the community to make a welcoming space that people enjoy.”
The couple will close once winter hits, with the goal of reopening April 1 next year. They hope to see downtown continue to develop.
“We’re both really excited for the Waterfront District,” said Ian. “If you go anywhere with a waterfront, it’s a central point for locals and visitors.
“It’s going to really benefit the area.”
Moose and Squirrel is open seven days every week, and can be found at http://www.mooseandsquirrelartisanvillage.com
