The Estevan Chamber of Commerce hosted a new kind of event that departed from the usual formality of its luncheons. Pub night at the Estevan Public Library, on the evening of Oct. 17 entailed a more casual setting for people in and involved with the local business community.聽
鈥淚t鈥檚 great fun, and I think it鈥檚 an overall success tonight. It鈥檚 nice to see a lot of the local businesspeople getting together and just socializing,鈥� said branch manager Kate-Lee Nolin, who hosted and helped organize the event.
Business owners, members of the local business community and a number of dignitaries gathered to sip beer, snack on appetizers and discuss business with one another. Representatives from Community Futures Saskatchewan and TD Canada Trust were also present to discuss future events, and resources they offer, that are available to local businesses.
Jeff Pierson, general manager of the Estevan Days Inn, spoke optimistically to guests, saying that the pub night event was the result of a significant and historical change for his business, through the government鈥檚 update of liquor laws, allowing for businesses like the Estevan Days Inn to directly purchase of liquor from any retailers, rather than only from SLGA stores.
鈥淭he Saskatchewan government made substantial changes to the liquor laws, and that actually allowed us to do what we鈥檙e doing tonight. Up until Sunday, as a private off sale, we had to buy all our spirits, coolers and wine through an SLGA Store,鈥� Pierson said. 鈥淭hat changed on Sunday, October 9. It will lower all our prices substantially, and now we can sell to restaurants and pubs, and we can sell permits for events like the one tonight.鈥�
After the business discussions at the beginning of the night, guests sat down and split into competing teams for several rounds of Canadian trivia, over drinks and appetizers. The trivia rounds greatly enjoyed, and created an atmosphere of levity and fun for guests.
Estevan Chamber of Commerce executive director Jackie Wall was pleased with how the event went, and the number of people in attendance, taking into consideration that it took place on a busy Friday night with the other events going on in Estevan, such as the After Dark Series concert at the Estevan Art Gallery and Museum and the hockey game going on that night.聽
鈥淚 was a little concerned, but I鈥檓 quite pleased with the turnout,鈥� said Wall. 鈥淚 was hoping to have between 20 to 30, and we鈥檙e close to 30, so that鈥檚 fantastic. We had great support from our sponsors as well, and great support from the community.鈥�
