Local merchants praying for a payoff this Christmas “Sun Editor a of American shops both in prod- uct and style,” said Donaldson. Ray Bosse, Synerinannge! of “with the Chri season now upon us, local mer- chants are busy preparing for what will be their busiest time in . sales. Locally, there is a genuine Sconce regarding the GST ‘and ‘cross-border shopping,’ yet for the. most part, Castlegar mer- ‘chants remain optimistic that “Christmas sales this year will meet those of 1990... “We sure don't expect to get. .Tich, but we do expect to be in tune with last year’s figures,” said Dale Donaldson, owner/manager of Mallards— Source for Sports in Castlegar. Donaldson, who is a co-owner of three sporting stores specializ- ing in downhill ski gear, says that 20 per cent of the business’s total sales will be made around Christmas time. When ques- tioned about the overall impact that border shopping has made on his business, Donaldson remains firm that his sales haven't suffered. / “Our Canadian customers are more sophisticated and better informed buyers. They realize shat Canadian sis cam are ahead Cohve Insurance + Vacation Trailers and Boat ~ Insurance 1127 4th St, Castlegar .3 01 » Bossc’s ry in'C reiterated this fact by stating that local residents-who shop at home or at least in-province are pro- vided with a consumer protec- tion that can: *t be found in the US.. ef think people are realizing that they are not getting such a good deal after all,” he said. The Christmas season. is extremely important to the local jewellery store, which may ring up close to 40 percent, of! its total sales during the! holiday season, |° “The week just priorio. Christ. ; mas is a busy time for us. This is when men, who traditionally i “fine quality, products though, I: wait ‘until the last moment, dropping in to the store.’ The Christmas season is also the biggest selling time for retail clothing stores, and local shops are banking'on the fact that Castlegar residents will be buy- ing their gifts at home, 2°72). “We can't stop people from going across the line to do, their “Nelson and Trail lack the : ‘that can be found’ in larger: ped tres, and. she feels’ this may be: ‘; the main reason why locals cross: the lines to shop, “When it comes to ‘the price of ‘ think our clothing shops are very’, comparable: and: Maybe even less expensive,” she.8 ‘said, Rose Koch, owner/manager of Rose's Boutique, says she is really unsure’ of, what'to expect: this ‘Christmas season, : and: admits the GST and cross border shopping have been‘ taking there Impact of the GST by Province, British Columbia Alberta Saskatchewan Manitoba’ Ontario Quebec New. Brunswick Nova Scotia ; Nowoundiand Prince Edward Island EB Negative 40 Percentage response Positive No impact Source: Canadian F Survey (June 1991). 60 Don't know of 285, results from GST Follow-Up so we'll be appreciat- Wizard’s Palace of Gems \ What’s New? Christmas Bargains! ° Beading Supplies ¢ Gold testing to 18K ( I safe & © Silver, gold electroplating - renew old jewellery * Catalogue orders .- ‘ Leb (ongeal discounts - highest ality) s; © Ass’t. synthetic gemstones to replace missing stones (close to Cdn. wholesale prices) INHOUSE JEWELLERY AT EXCEPTIONAL SAVINGS Lay-aways accepted Consultations ¢ Appraisals ® Identification New Stock Just In - More To Come Robert Branning - Gemologist 365-391 a. 1694 Silverwood Cres. ing all the local business we can get,” said Ruby Streloff, who toll locally. “A lot of locals have deserted us for Spokane. Yet they’re not “A lot of locals have deserted us for Spokane.: «Yet . they're, .not. ' connecting their actions to ‘the downfall of local business. ” — Rose Koch Business owner g their actions to the downfall of local businesses.” While the effects of GST have not been positive for local busi- nesses, some owners say the national tax has had no general effect on:sales, but instead, it has créated a headache, in paperwork and has increased accounting costs. A massive new study carried out by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. has shown the impact the GST has had across the country. A total of 25,362 small and medium size businesses from every region of Canada responded to the survey, which was in June. along with her husband owns and manages Kootenay Klothes Kloset and J.J.’s Fashions. - Streloff admits that Castlegar, Asked about the overall impact of the GST, 71 per cent of respondents say the tax has had a negative effect on their Presented to: or clients. Star Mengede Cut 'n' Loose Hair Design This award will be presented every week to someone in Castlegar who shows extraordinary service to his/her customers The recipients will receive an award plaque to keep courtesy of Kats Trophys and a lunch for 2, value to $20.00, courtesy of the Fireside Dining Room. Excellence in Service Award » We'd like everyone in Castlegar to know there is an "Excellence in Service" in their community, and to congratulate each of them personally. if ‘you know of someone that offers "Excellence in Service," call me, Jon at Senrnl6G, or ae a letter at the Castle, jar Sun with your suggestion. Only eight per cent : of small business owners feel the GST has benefitted their opera- tion! The number one reason for opposing the GST was the extraordinary costs of imple- menting and operating the new tax. The extra costs definitely add up, as Mallard’s owner will testi- to. Since the GST has been implemented, my sales may not have suffered, but my account- ing costs have increased by $3,000,” finished Donaldson. Principals of the Baha'i Faith « Men and women are ge in capacity and must be given equal opportunity. ’s Racial, national, religious, class and other prejudices must be combatted through ‘universal education. “Public: Discussion “#2 poagerosa aoa Court + Thursdays Sa30R p.m. ‘Ph, 365-3312 + 365-3239 It's income tax check-up time < Are you ready fo ‘for your, year- ‘+ Pay cash. for personal P and borrow for invest- 1991 tax bill and begin your 1992 tax planning - before holi- ment or business purposes so the interest could be tax-deductible. If you havent done this, can you your debts and invest- day season take over. Prompted by the publication of the 116-page booklet, Tax P! ning Checklist 1991-1992,' by brand Cana- “self-directed: fees, you. pay individually for a RRSP/RRIF (don’t have he fee taken.out of the Wednesday, November 20,1991 ‘The Castlegar Sun Page! 9B: 8 the Inst. Halloween mask is put away, we cxpect to sce retail- ers,stocking their shelves in anticipation of the; great: Christ-, mas rush. 1): Brightly coloured wrapping paper, bows and name cards occupy. prime end-of-aisle loca- tions in stores, ' Christmas cards to, send overseas as well as naughty.and nice Christmas cards occupy the “seasons” sec- tion of local drug and gift stores, The Unicef and: other boxed Christmas cards are front and centre in the displays, It probably won't be long before we hear Christmas music on the store speakers and on the local radio. ‘We had an early taste of winter with.cold weather and 25.cm of snow in early November, In large and small group situations people were mentioning the feeling that Christmas was coming early. Some had already started thes shopping. ‘Me included. ; November is a very special month, : Every year the bi-weekly utility and ed workers have one of their. two “free” paydays, ‘These “free pay- days", have happened every year since bi-weekly paydays started. Every year the workers know that the extra payday comes in either-October or November (depending ‘if payday is a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday). In many families the moncy is = Grenby_ my Hate spqhicn cal onda used for Christmas, ': In my. fami- ly it.is balanced ‘between binh- days and. Christmas, I want/all my gifts purchased carly, while there. is.still.a good selection and before the birthday Econ have Strong seq’ Community j Business to have belated birth 1 am ‘also ‘a‘small business wnerwith mostly regular 9 to 5 and Saturday hours. To accom- modate: my clients and cus- tomers, I.have been known to work lunch hours, carly morn- ings, stay late into the evenings and: work whole } weekends; whenever my clients need my services, With’ this irregular and often unpredictable schedule, my well planned. gift-buying,-gro- ceries-and-trips-to-the-post- office-during-the-non-existent-lu neh-hour-or-before-everything- y cards with them! Tam, I think, a typical Christ- mas shopper, and. buyer. Perhaps what is not typical is that I buy as much as I\can in Castlegar-and from a variety of different stores, T have been saving my gift ideas all year. By carly Novem- ber I have all the birthday and Christmas'ideas recorded on: my list beside the name of the stores in which I will find them. Aside fromthe more than 10 people t-5-or-is-it-5:30 plans can go awry. And they usually do. When I'm not at work, Iam, like most-people, involved in a variety of extra-curricular cours- es and activities, In‘ my case on four of the five weekday nights my meetings or courses are over in time for me to arrive -home shortly after 8 p.m.. Long. after most stores, have closed. . No problem, at least I can shop on Friday nights, or so I thought. So where were all the Castle- whose birthdays are betw November 23 and January 6, and for whom I buy gifts,.a large por- tion of my Christmas list is made up of people living outside the province and country. As a result, Canada Post gets its fair share of gar Friday, night November 8 when J had) money in my wallet, the complete. birth- day and Christmas list in my hand and my route, with all its stops, planned out? By 6 :p.m., many of you had gone home, my Chri iness. They get a larger share if I can’t find what I want early enough to meet the mail deadlines. to the shopping patterns and needs of your customers. I wasn’t the only one looking longingly at the closed door of a national catalogue shopping Store, One gift for overseas was going to be from there but: no longer have the time to make a trip downtown. someday before 5:30, order, wait for it-to arrive, make another trip downtown someday before 5:30 to pick it up, take it home, wrap it in Christmas paper then in brown Paper and get it to Canada Post before the overseas deadlines to save paying $25.00 in postage to mail a $12.00 item. One store off my list, At the plaza that Friday night I wasn't the only one annoyed at the closed sign on the plaza’s spe- cialty gift and photo shop, and the home of four of the items on my list. Two stores off my list. To those shops and stores that were open - Thank You! Even though I couldn't buy exactly what I wanted, I was able, in all but three instances, to buy some- thing equivalent and get it wrapped, addressed and in to meet Canada Post deadlines, At least somebody wanted my busi- ness! I even made a second trip downtown when ‘the plaza store was closed and bought three out of my four items in a store I had been in earlier, You are wasting your breath if you, as a retailer, complain about working long hours; we all work when our ‘customers need us. And don’t try to tell me that in Continued from 6B pared with about 27 per cent on the amount up to $250). + Also group medical expenses or at least pick the 12-month peri- od ending in the tax year that gives you the highest total. “That maximizes your claim above the deductible (which for 1991 is the lesser of $1,570 or three per cent of your net income). + Ask Revenue Canada for its Moving Expenses guide and form to make sure you claim all eligi- ble expenses - including the real estate commission on the sale of , youriprevious:home:- when you : change jobs‘and‘iniove to'a new""” home which is at least 40 km closer to the new work location. + If the student you support (spouse, grand/child) cannot use all his/her tuition and education tax credits because of low or no income, be sure you get the nec- essary: forms so you may claim these credits. + If you are 65 or older with no private pension income from a former employer, create your own with a RRIF of qualifying annuity so you can claim the $1,000 pen- sion income amount. If you can’t use the resulting tax credit of about $270, your spouse can. maximum of $8,000 and/or carry forward unused “contribution room” if you have a specific plan + Claim eligible child care expenses including , in some cases, the cost of summer camp. + Try to lower individual net income to reduce the clawb which the long-term after-tax return on your money. If you turn(ed) 71 this year, plan now the best way(s) to de- register your RRSP before the Dec, 31 deadline; you may base a RRIF payout on a-younger spouse’sage. * + Declare the interest earned rollover rule and capital gains exemption - and what you might still be able to do to reduce or eliminate that extra tax. + Shift as much income as possible to family members in a lower tax bracket - having the lower-income spouse do all the saving; paying spouse or chil- dren to work in the higher- income spouse's business (which can include revenue property); by family in the child(ren)’s name(s), not yours, as long as this money is set aside for the child(ren). cnet Ask Canada for its famiily: allowance ‘and:old": age security payments; for 1991, the clawback starts at $51,765. + Maximize use of RRSPs - unless you have an alternative that surpasses the RRSP’s tax deferral and tax-free growth. Note that contributions now are based on the previous year’s eamed income. Contribute to a spousal RRSP if your spouse will be in a lower tax bracket than you when the funds are withdrawn. Only over- up to your lifeti a Py irtnday | + Kyle Morisseau trom Mom. Dad, Jesse & Scotty « DB1 from the Detachment’ + Happy 40th Stuey Clow from you know who + Happy birthday Lisa D. - finally fourteen! , 4 ‘ Love Mom, Dad & Jen: '. > - Happy 6th Christopher love Mom & Dad” * Walter love Robin & Devin” ‘+ Great gnandfather Harmston : = all our. Tove. Celina, Amanda, Jessica, Sarah & Delin . Christopher from Charlotte & Cory + Darren Fontes from the Bacons_ Alternative :- Minimum Tax (AMT) form if you transferred severance pay to your RRSP and also check your Cumulative Net Investment Loss (CNIL) balance of you had capital gains this year. Do the calculations now to see whether AMT and CNIL considerations will give you a higher tax bill than you expect - despite the RRSP swapping assets (e.g. low- income. spouse swaps land or share in principal residence for high-i Spouse's Property). ear] Avoid a langé'refund (which ‘ méans Ottawa used your money | interest-free) by applying’ through your local tax office to have less tax withheld at source, or by paying smaller quarterly instalments. But make sure you do pay what you are required - to avoid daily compounding of interest on taxes owing. ee ‘To Gasdegay S Voklunteers oo Joanne Stan : Parent Advisory Committee The Castlegar Sun, Tulips Floral & Gifts, Hi Arrow ‘Motor Inn and Woodland Park Shell would like to honor the th ds of hours our Castlegar Volunteers donate to THIS WEEKS WINNER IS INDICATED BY LOGO => Phone In Your Birthday Wish & Wo Will Print t Froe of Charge. All Skthday Greotings Must be Phoned {a65.5280) In By Noon’ ’: “Thursday Of The Week Before The Paper. Comes Out. various activities. Some volunteers donate as much or more time than a full- time job. These volunteers deserve a ‘special “Thank you." For their selfless service, we, will present to one volunteer each week, a handsome wall plaque from Woodland Park ‘Shell (engraving by Kats Trophy),'a floral arrangement Ee Re eee ee w Motor Inn. Ifyou have a j recommendation as to whom should receive ithis award, please call us at the caesar Sun, 365-5266. : you really want my business? December you “1 be open late Friday night or even open on Sundays. Postal deadlines, birth- day parties and, my Christmas money will be long gone. There really is no excuse for not servic- ing your customers when your. customers are ready to buy. Especially on a Friday night, a Aitional Canadian shonot night! The least you can do is stay open until 7 p.m.! The grocery stores in Castle- gar seem to be the exception. Arriving at the grocery store at 2 minutes before closing to buy a weck's worth of groceries does not make me popular with the staff— but they don't refuse me admission, nor grumble 10-min- utes later in the checkout. They are in business to serve their cus- tomers. They wait for their cus- tomers to arrive, they do not not lock the doors before closing time and stop people from enter- ing. At least our grocery stores are in business to meet their cus- tomer’s needs, It’s time that a lot of mer- chants in Castlegar put the cus- tomér’s needs first. Think of our paydays (which are also yours) our hours of work (which also seem to be yours but shouldn’t be) and our buying patterns. i YOUR. ADDITIONAL DISCOUNT: ALL SUITE HOTEL * 30 STOREY TOWER WITH 250 OVERSIZED SUITES ¢ LOCATED IN THE HEART OF i Cl + iN000R R POOL &: Sh & SAUNAS EA . CARE Aare st spl patty MICROWAVES JARDI HTCLUB . biker P AIRPORT + TRANSPORTATION * COMPLIMENTARY TEA/COFFEE IN ROOMS 1015 BURRARD ST. VANCOUVER, B.C. V6z 1Y5 ‘cu 1-800-663-1818 sx How can we buy if you are ‘not: open? And don't forget simple things like postal deadlines, ‘and, - at this time of year, activities: such as craft fairs going.on in the‘ community, ‘Tie in your market-) ing efforts to these times’and events and'you will have cus- tomers. And, for heavens sake, don't forget to tell us what you have and when we can buy it. Last Friday night at 7:30 pm, as I crossed the empty street in downtown Castlegar and walked towards my parked car, I nodded and shrugged my shoulders at a couple looking in yet another closed store window. | They smiled and shrugged back. At least we tried to buy local- ly, we said silently to each other, but some stores just don’t want LOSE TO. AND EVENTS FOOD RESTAURANT IR YOUR TRAVEL AGENT SaaS BI PER. ROOM): PER NIGHT): Mt