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Cranbrook, BC (October 22, 2020) -- Celebrate and help support local food entrepreneurs during Small Business Week with the first-ever #EatLocalYXC Festival in a series of fun and engaging Facebook Live events and deals showcasing culinary artisans in Cranbrook and Kimberley.

How does it work? Beginning Thursday October 22 and running until November 15, score deals from local restaurants and tune into the #EatLocalYXC Festival every Thursday. It is a chance to go behind the scenes online at local restaurants and get to know the business owners in the region.

“Cranbrook is the retail centre of the region,” says Darren Brewer, Business Development Officer for the City of Cranbrook. “The #EatLocalYXC Festival dovetails nicely with Small Business Week. We have a lot of great businesses in Cranbrook and we need people to come out and support them. The biggest part of our economy is retail.”

This kind of online event comes at the perfect time for businesses who all must adapt to how COVID-19 is impacting their livelihoods. “We have a good audience. It is about getting people to change their business; you have to go online to help support your own business. This is where you will find unrealized revenue”, Brewer says.

The #EatLocalYXC festival aims to do just that. Participants will engage with the business owners and learn their tips, tricks, and secrets – without having to leave their homes or workspaces. During the sessions, some of the businesses will create their favourite recipes and drinks and tell people about their showcase menus and other incentives they are offering all month long. 

Brandi Boothman, one of those, along with FestivalSeekers, who is spearheading the four-week event, says our communities are home to many talented chefs and food artisans passionate about feeding locals and they are eager to get involved.

“Because so many people get their information from social media, the #EatLocalYXC Festival Facebook Lives and festival offers are the perfect vehicle to engage with people and learn about their entrepreneurial neighbours along the way,” Boothman says.

“It’s good exposure. Every time someone likes and shares and comments on restaurants, it helps expand their reach” to fans and then friends and family of fans.

Brewer says shopping and eating local has been identified as the highest priority during COVID-19. “Small businesses need our help. It’s a gap we can fill.”

Here are some of restaurants and the times and dates they will be participating in weekly online Facebook Live events:

• Ella’s Café (Oct. 22, 3 p.m.)
• Bohemian Spirits (Oct. 23, 11 a.m.)
• The Nest (Oct. 29, 3 p.m.)
• Chaos Coffee (Oct. 29, 4 p.m.)
• The Heidout (Nov. 12, 3 p.m.)
• Sweet Gestures Chocolate Shoppe (Nov. 12, 10 a.m.)

Stay tuned for more details, and get a taste of the #EatLocalYXC event on Festival Seekers Facebook page.