Red Deer Downtown Business Association
Downtown Business Spotlight: Stella Bean Sweets
This week’s Business Spotlight shines on Stella Bean Sweets! We stopped by the coffee shop located at 100, 4808 50th street, and talked with the owner, Estie Van Der Velden, to learn more about this business.
What is your business?
Our business is Stella Bean Sweets. We’re a coffee and pastry shop and do breakfast and lunch. But our specialty is sweet, all things sweet!
When did your business open?
We opened three years ago in 2017.
What makes your business unique?
Think what makes us unique is we try and do something different than all the other businesses when we can. So we do specialty cakes and cupcakes, lots of different sweets. And then we do ‘High Tea’ events, and we just brought those back. So basically, you can sit down and have a cup of tea and enjoy a three-tier platter of goodies like sandwiches, scones, and other sweet treats. They’re so much fun!
What are some products that you offer?
So we’re famous for our lemon meringue tarts. And like any tarts, really so there’s lemon, salted, key lime tarts, and then we have like a caramel apple toffee tart. And then we have lots of doughnuts, which we switch those up every week. We also offer cannoli’s as well as various other items such as coffee, teas, lattes, specialty drinks, etc.
Why did you choose Downtown Red Deer as the location for your business?
Well because I love downtown Red Deer. I just think it’s such so cute and quaint like if I had to pick anyone anywhere in Red Deer, I wanted it to be downtown to so I could add to the culture of it.
What do you think makes Downtown vibrant?
So much! It’s like all the different activities, like Ross Street Patio, which was bumping last night. And then the Downtown Market which is so awesome! So just like all these different activities and then such a wide range of businesses, I would say, that all carry unique things. You can come downtown, it’s not for the same businesses. Like every business you go to is so uniquely different and they bring something else to downtown.
I love Downtown Red Deer because… I like what it has to offer for Red Deer. I always encourage my friends to come down because I love not just one thing, I love everything. I love that there are flowers in the park, I love that there are patios, I love that it’s all local. If you come to downtown Red Deer, you’re supporting local. So downtown is to me, the heart of Red Deer. And that’s where all the local businesses are. So if you love downtown then you love supporting local and you love supporting families that live here.
If you’re looking for a sweet treat be sure to stop by Stella Bean Sweets, they have something for everyone! Keep an eye out for their high tea events and their weekly donut lists on their social media pages.
Website: https://www.stella-bean-sweets.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stellabeansweetsreddeer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stellabeansweets/
Council approves 2024 DBA budget, increased investment in events
“The DBA remains steadfast in its objective to build on the growth seen in 2023. The collaboration between The City of Red and the DBA is at all time high and with the pending actions set to be delivered through the Downtown Activation Playbook, I know there are many great things to come that will support our business community and create the thriving downtown we all want to experience,” said Amanda Gould, DBA Executive Director.
“Today Council demonstrated their commitment to their strategic priorities with the support shown to the DBA through unanimous support of the 2024 budget. This mighty Association continues to do great work on a shoestring budget and the 2024 Board of Directors are keen to lend their expertise and entrepreneurial skills to benefit the downtown in its entirety.”
Brandon Bouchard, DBA Board Chair
The DBA’s budget is partially funded through the BIA tax levy, which is collected by The City of Red Deer. Each year, the DBA presents its proposed budget to Council for their consideration. When reviewing the budget, Council considers alignment between the DBA’s downtown priorities and City’s community priorities.
“DBA has constantly hit far above its weight in our downtown, I can’t think of a more supportive messenger of promotion than the team at the DBA, it’s so encouraging to see this strong support for our downtown,” said Mayor Ken Johnston. “I’m encouraged by the leadership and direction of the DBA and look forward to what they have in store for 2024. They continually bring positive initiatives to the downtown even with the constraint on finances.”
The DBA’s total approved budget for 2024 is $775,160, with $277,725 funded through the BIA with the remaining amount funded through items such as grants and contracts. The BIA portion for 2024 is an increase of five per cent from 2023.
The Downtown Business Association has been operating in Red Deer for more than 30 years, serving approximately 350 business owners in the Downtown area. Through partnerships and leadership in advocacy and promotion, the DBA is the catalyst for a vibrant and prosperous downtown that is the place to live, work, play and do business.
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