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While Team Canada came short of the gold medal in the World Men’s Curling Championship, businesses in Moose Jaw won big.
For the iconic Deja Vu Cafe, it wasn’t the business’s first curling rodeo.
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While manager Kelly Tollefson is still learning the sport, she said a lot of her staff are big curling fans.
“Curling fans are great, they’re so much fun! They come in here still hyped from the matches,” she said. “So that energy comes out with the servers and you can just see all the smiles and laughs.”
Kelly Tollefson went to a game with one of her curling-loving employees, and she was blown away by Team Canada’s skills. (Nicole Garn/980 CJME)
She said the support from fans and the community has been amazing. Team Scotland and Norway also stopped by for a bite.
“You can tell that everybody, whether they’re from Canada or not, are having a great time in Moose Jaw,” she said.
The restaurant had its front window and doors painted with curling puns and flags for each team. (Nicole Garn/980 CJME)
While the week was hectic, Tollefson said the city of Moose Jaw has a lot to be proud of.
“It’s been crazy, but in the end we can take pride in our city that we did it and everybody got to come see and experience what Moose Jaw actually has to offer,” she said.
Fans could buy curling memorabilia from Mike Thul’s shop Past Times. (Nicole Garn/980 CJME)
Mike Thul is the owner and operator of Past Times Old Time Photography & Gifts, which does antique-style photography and sells treats and souvenirs.
Thul said he was busy all week long.
“Most people buy smaller items, as in candies and treats and that kind of stuff to put in their pockets to take into the curling to snack on or to eat there,” he said with a laugh.
Candies and treats were a hot item for curling fans at Past Times Old Time Photography & Gifts. (Nicole Garn/980 CJME)
Thul said Moose Jaw feels a sense of pride representing Team Canada.
“You see a lot more Canadian flags, a lot of Canadian stuff around town and we’re selling a lot of Canadian stuff,” he said.
Tracey Marta is the co-owner of The Perfect Find. She said the week was great for the city of Moose Jaw. (Nicole Garn/980 CJME)
For Tracey Marta, co-owner of The Perfect Find, she said the week was her busiest of the year.
“Just seeing all the hotels full, everybody commenting how friendly Moose Jaw is, how they’re really enjoying it and they’re planning on coming back… So that’s great for our city,” Marta said.
She said Moose Jaw is a very proud community and wears representing Team Canada as a badge of honour.
“Anytime we can represent Canada or be a host for something for Canada, we are more than happy to do that,” she said. “So we love seeing all the Canadian flags around town and people have decorated their windows.”
Marta said it was amazing to see people from all over the world enjoying Moose Jaw.
“We’re happy to show it off,” she said with a smile.
(Nicole Garn/980 CJME)
Tourist attraction Tunnels Of Moose Jaw are a staple in the city.
Reid Martin, business operations assistant with the historic site, said it was an honour to share this part of Saskatchewan history with the world.
“Having so many different countries in at one time is something that I never thought I would see and it’s absolutely amazing to share what we do with a whole new audience of people,” he said.
Martin said Moose Jaw has been buzzing all week long.
Manager of Lions Creek, Windell Seargeant, said the busy week was great for restaurants and hotels. (Nicole Garn/980 CJME)
Windell Seargeant is the manager of Lions Creek, which is an olive oil and balsamic vinegar company.
She said while her business didn’t see a massive spike in visitors, the week was an overall success for the city.
One night she kept her business open later than normal to allow curling fans to experience an olive tasting.
“We opened in the evening for them to do a private tasting and it was a lot of fun before they went for supper,” she said.
Seargeant said it’s been fun to see the city get behind curling and Team Canada.
“Just by looking around the city, you would know that: A, something is happening and B, it is Canadian,” she said with a laugh.
The lions in Seargeant’s display window even got into the spirit of the game. (Nicole Garn/980 CJME)
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