Rosebud businesses continue to thrive and diversify

By Laureen F. Guenther Times Contributor

Rosebud businesses, such as Rose Cottage Bed and Breakfast and the Kith and Kin gift shop, continue to thrive, despite the fluctuations of the greater economy.
Sue and John Miller, who have been operating the Rose Cottage Bed and Breakfast for 21 years, said their rooms are consistently full, and they often have to turn guests away. Most of their guests are patrons of Rosebud Theatre, Sue Miller said, but despite the fact some Rosebud Theatre shows in 2017 and 2018 were more successful than others, Rose Cottage was fully booked.
“I’ve had guests who have come for every (Rosebud Theatre) show since we started 21 years ago,” she said. “I have folks that (say) ‘if you’re full, when are you not full? Because we’re coming to stay with you.’”
Travis Friesen is owner of Kith and Kin gift shop, now in its fourth year of operation. Kith and Kin offers high-quality gifts and crafts, emphasizing business relationships with local artists and artisans.
“(Business has) been consistently improving every year,” Friesen said. Along with growing financially, he said, the store looks more and more appealing as he and manager Karina Nickel become increasingly aware of what patrons want, and continue to build relationships with artists.
Friesen sees a correlation between business at Kith and Kin and the success of shows at Rosebud Theatre.
“I don’t experience a lot of boom and bust,” he said. “It stays fairly consistent. But there’s no hiding it: I am directly affected by the sales of the theatre. If people aren’t coming to the show, they’re not walking into my gift shop.”
At the same time, he’s seeing the business grow as theatre patrons become return customers.
“They popped into the gift shop (when they came to the last show), and they like it. So now when they do come to Rosebud, (Kith and Kin) is on their radar.”
In the years ahead, Friesen and Miller both want to see a diversity of businesses thrive in Rosebud.
Miller has helped numerous other bed-and-breakfasts start up in the area and when prospective guests call, but her rooms are already full, she helps them find another place to stay.
“I don’t consider anybody competition,” she said. “I figure that the more we have, the better we can take care of them, the more people we can have come to Rosebud. Each (business) offers something very special and very unique.”
Friesen, too, wants to strengthen the diversity of business in Rosebud.
“If more people bring their part to what Rosebud has to offer, then it does strengthen the fibres of Rosebud’s reach,” he said.