Influx of business good for Glenboro

Businesses in the city can come and go unnoticed, but in a rural town the arrival of just one small mom-and-pop shop can breathe new life into a quiet town that was once uncertain of its future.

Over the past decade, Glenboro, like most rural communities, has seen its share of ups and downs. Crumbling brick buildings and proud homes with ample yards and rural charm are typical sights, but despite that charm, residents worried the community could dry up, leaving only Sara the Camel to remind passersby of the community that once was.

In the past two years, though, three new businesses — the Glenboro Bake Shop, Glenboro Uptown Auto and the Ho Ho Cafe Chinese restaurant — have opened up. The worries, for now, have faded away.

Town CAO Eric Plaetinck says the shift is a definite shot in the arm that won’t go unnoticed.

“It sure is nice to see these buildings being occupied now,” Plaetinck said. “We’ve lost some in the past and this is a good turnaround for us ... we’re hoping that this is going to continue.

A stream of new-to-Glenboro residents has caused a spike in the number of residential permits taken out last year. For the first time in “years and years” seven residential permits were doled out, and so far, six new homes have sprung up, he said.

“We’ve even welcomed people without a family connection to the community. They came, saw what they liked and stayed; that’s the biggest compliment a community can get.”

The new permits mean the community is at or near its residential capacity, Plaetinck says and council’s next challenge will be to look into the creation of a new residential development.

“Seeing businesses close in the past was a little disheartening at times but I was always optimistic that Glenboro would fare well,” he said. “But with no industry or large employer in the area — what usually brings people to a new community — it was touch-and-go sometimes.”

Just over two years ago, David and Jill Kelley took a chance on Glenboro and so far, their decision is paying off.

The duo uprooted their family of four from the scenic Ottawa Valley in Ontario and took ownership of the Glenboro Bake Shop in August 2008. Since, the Kelleys agree that the decision — which was made on a whim after an unfortunate experience buying a bakery in Saskatchewan fell through — was right on target.

The community bakery had been shuttered previously and even when it was open, business was poor, but it was nothing a little tender loving care couldn’t remedy.

“I can’t believe how different life is now,” David said. “We are now able to live debt-free and the quality of life is what we had been looking for. People in Manitoba are really blessed and it seems like everyone has their head on their shoulders.”

As the only bakery and deli in town, business is booming.

The Kelleys can barely keep up with the demand for their submarine sandwiches, pizzas and newly introduced cheesecakes. Plans for the construction of an outdoor patio are in the works and since the Ho Ho Cafe opened up across the street in December, David Kelley and Plaetinck say it’s clear the community is going through a mini-Renaissance.