NSBA shows appreciation for local businesses

The annual popcorn and entrepreneurship event held by the North Saskatoon Business Association (NSBA) will be a little bit different this year.

In the past five years, there has been one business recognized annually, this year three are being celebrated.

A film will be shown that will showcase the ingenuity, hard work, and perseverance of three different businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last year’s film “Concrete Dreams – The Karim W. Nasser Story” premiered at the Remai Arts Centre.

“There will be changes in this year’s event. This year it will take place at Prairieland Park. It will also be a drive-in movie experience this year,” said Mayor Charlie Clark, as he spoke to a hallway of physically distanced attendees.

“The popcorn and entrepreneurship event is a great way of showcasing the struggles, challenges, and inspiration of local businesses.”

This will be the 6th year for the event.

For organizers, there was a point when they weren’t sure the event would even happen this year.

“We talked about many possibilities, but it wasn’t until Phase 4 where we realized a plan that would allow us to host this safely,” said Keith Moen, executive director of the NSBA. “We wanted to share the resiliency of Saskatchewan business people and how they are able to overcome a challenge such as this pandemic.”

For the businesses that are being honoured in this year’s short film, they described it as being a very exciting experience.

“It’s been surreal. We feel a lot of pride, and surprise in being nominated,” said Shawn Moen, co-founder of  9 Mile Legacy Brewing. “We have a lot of gratitude for the NSBA for doing what they have been doing for our business community.”

Putting together a film like this is no easy task.

The COVID-19 measures have made it even more of a challenge.

But it’s something that Kolby Kostynuk of Bamboo Shoots video production is ready for.

“The process is much slower, filming takes more time. We had a few months where we couldn’t do anything,” said Kolby, director and writer for this year’s film.”Changing the idea this year was a welcomed challenge. I think it’s going to be a very great film. Because of COVID-19, you work more with the same people, we have had a closer team and a smaller team. It can be a bit of a challenge at first but that intimacy brings a nice freshness to the project.”

“It’s going to be a great film this year, there are three amazing stories that will pair very nicely,” he added.

A theme for the afternoon was inspiration, and that was not a word that Clark hesitated to throw around.

“The more we share these stories, the more they can inspire others. It goes a long way,” said the Mayor.

The drive-in movie will take place on September 2nd, with tickets and information available on the NSBA website.