Mosquito.Buzz franchise helps take the bite out of summer
Mosquito. Buzz helps residents get the most out of our short summer
No one likes mosquitos, especially in the summer in Saskatchewan.
Doug George knows this all too well as a longtime resident of Saskatoon. That’s why he is stepping up to do something about that.
A former investment adviser, George is now on a mission to keep the mosquito population at bay so we can all enjoy our short summer just a little longer.
Granted, the mosquito season hasn’t been as bad as it can be given the dry summer we’ve been experiencing. But George knows that can turn the other way in an instant.
He’s had his Mosquito. Buzz franchise up and running since mid-June, a little later than he would have liked. But it’s also given him a chance to slowly immerse himself in running the business.
“My goal this year is to plant the flag here, so to speak, to get some traction for next spring. I’ll let people know I’m here and what I can do for them to enjoy their time outdoors.”
George stands by his company’s motto of stay outdoors ... longer.
“Summer around here is very short and we want to enjoy every minute of it.”
George, who has been trained and qualified as an applicator, says he will initially provide both a natural and synthetic barrier application, which targets areas where mosquitos can be found such as shrubs and hedges, long grassy areas and trees.
“It’s pretty much anywhere mosquitos rest, live and hide.”
George will happily visit your home or property and provide a detailed analysis of what he can provide to make your space more enjoyable.
He has already fielded calls from cottage country. Getting George to Emma Lake, Candle Lake or any other popular cottage destination is not a concern for him.
“It’s about our summer enjoyment.”
The key to finding the right business at the right time is something Shannon Langevin is counting on.
She has recognized that the Sutherland area of the city has been under-represented for a long time in a major summer consumable — ice cream. So what does she do? She steps up and opens Lickelicious, the only business of its kind in the area.
“It was needed in the area. It’s that simple,” says Langevin. “There is nothing around like this at all. That’s the main thing for us.”
Her location is in the heart of the Sutherland shopping area, right next door to the Golden Sheaf Bakery, a business icon and a destination for shoppers on Central for decades.
Another bold step Langevin made was to secure the ability to obtain product from the much-respected and loved Homestead Ice Cream. That allows people on the east side of the city to enjoy Homestead’s products without having to venture across town.
Langevin rejuvenated her spot with bright colours and new flooring. It is a strictly takeout business so there are no chairs or tables.
Only open now for a couple of weeks, Langevin knows it is a little late in the summer to get going, but she’s hoping that people will give Lickelicious a shot this summer and return again next year and make it their go-to ice cream destination. In the meantime, Langevin is hoping to expand her menu during the winter months to where she can offer her customers soup and sandwiches.
But for now, it’s ice cream and the response Langevin has received has been positive.
“We are getting good reviews from people coming in here. It’s all been good.”
John Grainger is managing editor of The Star Phoenix. If you have started, expanded or moved a small business in Saskatoon within the last few months, contact him at jgrainger@postmedia.com. Homebased and temporary businesses, as well as those without physical locations, will not be considered for publication. Follow John on Twitter @Real1John