High River business community thriving four years after flood
Four long, difficult years after a catastrophic flood left parts of High River in ruins, the city’s business sector is showing glimmers of commercial success through an innovative online media campaign.
“Rooted in People” showcases the community’s resilience and fighting spirit — one that could have easily been broken following the devastating deluge.
“We’ve recovered from the flood of 2013 and are a vibrant little community,” said Olivia Cotton Cornwall, co-ordinator at the High River Visitor Information Centre. “Part of the point of the campaign is to showcase the community as a place where both families and businesses thrive.”
It’s certainly true for the owners of Sheena’s Sweets and Such.
The downtown candy shop lost everything following the floods and moved three times before returning to the busy downtown street it previously called home.
“The water came up so high,” business manager Orvella Small remembers. “All of the candy was destroyed because of the muck and water.”
“All the shelves we had in there were metal and rusted. All of the wood shelves had so much water they were rotting. Everything we had, had to go,” said Small.
The business didn’t have flood insurance, almost forcing the small store out of business. But three moves and four years later, it is nestled in a space directly across the street from the original shop.
Small said it was a struggle to start from scratch, but a worthwhile endeavour.
“Without the people in High River, the town wouldn’t be what it is. People didn’t move, they stayed. People were determined to rebuild and be a part of the community,” she said.
Strength, much like Small’s, is mirrored in the stories told in the campaign.
The “Rooted in People” campaign is a four-video collection that features themes of entrepreneurship, family, adventure and agriculture. It was designed to engage people who are interested in living, investing or simply visiting High River.
In the past year alone, Cotton Cornwall said she’s seen many businesses — both new and old — join the community. She said one of the biggest changes is the rejuvenation of the downtown into a more picturesque and walkable destination.
One of the people featured in the campaign is Eudo Stey, owner of outdoor adventure shop Flys Etc. His shop was fortunate to escape with just minor damage when the flood hit, but he remembers business was hard during the chaotic months that followed.
Cotton Cornwall said people have worked hard to breathe new life into the town and she hopes it shows in the campaign.