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The Heidout promotes #BuyBasin
By Erin Knutson
Brewhouse in Cranbrook.
The local business community is in the throes of digital transformation at the #BuyBasinFestival, which runs until the end of April as participants launch themselves into the private world of consumers through live Facebooking with the help of social media experts in a series of broadcasts on Facebook.
The Heidout Restaurant and Brewhouse in Cranbrook is one of 100 businesses, artists, and creators across the Columbia Basin participating in the festival sponsored by the Columbia Basin Trust and FestivalSeekers.
“It’s amazing for non-techy people to be able to create a live video tour. We did a tour of our brewery while promoting our giveaways – we had over 28,000 views and sales increased right away,” said Heidi Romich, co-owner of The Heidout.
#BuyBasin was designed to enhance the profile of community businesses and services while encouraging local consumerism and supporting business owners by creating a heightened awareness of commerce in the area, according to Romich.
The restaurateur also participated with FestivalSeekers in the #LiveLocal #EatLocalYXC Festival this past fall. She praised the social media and digital marketing training The Heidout received, which offered them a creative new outlet to promote their brand.
For Romich, this year has been a memorable one. Her establishment boasts a staff of five Red Seal chefs and award-winning in-house craft beer made by their brewery, the Fisher Peak Brewing Co.
Despite the challenges she and her team have faced throughout the pandemic and the uncertainty of how daily operations in the restaurant industry will proceed, The Heidout is open for business and serving customers.
and Brewhouse
With their ‘Kootenay Fresh Local Legendary’ commitment to serving only high-quality, locally sourced, and fresh foods, The Heidout continues to create awareness around local consumerism while exhibiting the best Cranbrook has to offer to the East Kootenay and beyond.
The restaurant and pub favourite for locals have been successful through live Facebooking. The medium will continue to serve The Heidout well into the future as they continue to establish their brand in the current marketplace.
“We’ve had the opportunity to showcase the patio, our new menu, and new cocktails while staying COVID compliant. Guests have been understanding, and we’ve been able to offer take-out, canned beer, and frozen meals,” she said.
Romich is in the middle of the #BuyBasinFestival and dining has returned to patio and pick-up only, marking the festival’s arrival as advantageous for the restaurant and other businesses in the area.
The opportunity to engage with new customers through the internet and promote local services and merchandise has been instrumental to the festival’s success and at the core of what it represents for embracing local commerce while becoming a beacon for customers outside of the community, according to the entrepreneur and food enthusiast.
“It’s an exciting avenue – technology is an important part of the #BuyBasinFestival, and the ability to promote local businesses to a wider audience is huge,” said Romich.
The festival also allows businesses to unveil products and services through livestreaming that have remained hidden gems in conventional commerce.
“With the pandemic, it’s essential to support small businesses and to have loyalty and pride – this is a varied community, and there are great services and an incredible willingness to accommodate people,” she said.
According to Romich, everyone has rallied, and the support has been immense during this time.
“I’m proud to live here and see the way the community has come together,” she said.
The #BuyBasinFestival offers more than just support and digital training; it provides a platform for people to engage with the consumers in an unprecedented way, accelerating digital literacy and business growth in the Basin.
“It’s amazing to do this, it’s creative, fun, a bit nerve-racking, and it makes you feel good to raise brand consciousness with your team while giving a live beer canning tour in the kitchen – it’s exciting, it’s cool, and an amazing opportunity,” she said.
The #BuyBasinFestival videos are available Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays until April 27.
All the LIVE Facebook broadcasts are available on the @BasinBusinessAdvisors or @FestivalSeekers pages, as well as the Facebook event page.
We’re also running a giveaway through the remainder of the festival.
“It’s simple… share a video from a #BuyBasin Festival business on Facebook and you could win $100 towards a Basin-area business of your choice, or a $50 gift certificate to the Shred Kelly online store! Check out some of the videos from Basin-area business to start sharing now. Every video you share is another chance to win. We’ll draw four winners on April 28.”
A lot has changed in the province over the last couple of weeks and we know local businesses are feeling the squeeze.
Businesses can apply for a FREE feature spot in the #BuyBasin Festival which includes digital media coaching.
There are only a few spots left. Apply today!
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Lead image: The Heidout Patio at the Heidout Restaurant and Brewhouse in Cranbrook. Images submitted
