Businesses in Cavendish area have high hopes for Sommo-extended season - Action News
Home WebMail Sunday, November 10, 2024, 10:19 PM | Calgary | 0.3°C | Regions Advertise Login | Our platform is in maintenance mode. Some URLs may not be available. |
PEI

Businesses in Cavendish area have high hopes for Sommo-extended season

Some businesses on P.E.I.'s North Shore are staying open a little later this year to try and take advantage of the increase in traffic from the music, food and drink festival.

'We've been looking forward to this weekend,' says Cavendish accommodations owner

The second edition of the Sommo Festival isn't running back-to-back with the Cavendish Beach Music Festival this year, giving area businesses a chance to stay open a bit longer to capitalize on the crowds.
The second edition of the Sommo Festival isn't running back-to-back with the Cavendish Beach Music Festival this year, giving area businesses a chance to stay open a bit longer to capitalize on the crowds. (Aaron Adetuyi/CBC)

Concertgoers aren't the only ones excited for this weekend's Sommo music, food and drinkfestival in Prince Edward Island.

Some Cavendish businesses are staying open a little later this year to try and take advantage of the increase in traffic.

Jane Doyle, a co-manager atSamuel's Coffee House in Avonlea Village, said she'll likely be too busy at the shop this weekend to take in any of the festivities.

"We're already starting to see a difference," she said. "Even earlier this week, it's gotten a lot steadier. September tends to slow down, but with the amount of people coming, we're seeing a difference."

Jane Doyle, a co-manager at Samuel's Coffee House in Cavendish, says business has already been steady in the week leading up to Sommo Festival.
Jane Doyle, a co-manager at Samuel's Coffee House in Cavendish, says business has already been steady in the week leading up to Sommo Festival. (Aaron Adetuyi/CBC)

Samuel's is usually closed this time of year because there aren't enough people around to justify staying open, but this September, they've already seen twice as many customers as normal.

The coffee shop is very happy about Whitecap Entertainment's decision to moveSommoFestival from the summer to the fall.

"It's nice to move it to the end of the season and still have a lot of people around instead of it just slowing down drastically," she said.

The date change for the festival has also been music to the ears of accommodation companies.

Kenny Singleton, who ownsCavendish Bosom Buddies Cottage Resort, said all of his cottages are completely booked up this weekend with Sommo attendees.

Labour Day is a busy day and then it just drops. It's pretty slow for a lot of businesses. Shawn Donavon, CaptainScott's Fish and Chips

"It's been sold out since they announced it," he said."We've been looking forward to this weekend and with the weather, it's just going to be amazing."

The forecast is callingfor sunny and mild days, with just a chance of showers Friday night.

North Shore businesses extend their season to welcome Sommo's music fans

19 days ago
Duration 2:53
Even though the prime days of summer are over, some businesses on Prince Edward Island's North Shore are keeping their doors open a little longer to invite in the music festival fans heading to Sommo this weekend. Here is what some business operators in the Cavendish area are saying.

Singleton said many of the people staying in his cottages are also returning guests from last year.

He said other large fall events like the International Shellfish Festival and the Fall Flavours Festival have been great for his bottom line as well.

"I'm hoping that this is where it's set now, in September," said Singleton."The weather is still great and anything that we can do to extend our shoulder season, we're all for it."

Sommo Music Festival
Operators are optimistic that Sommo will drive some much-needed business in what's traditionally the beginning of the shoulder season on P.E.I. (Stacey Janzer/CBC)

The Sommo Festival buzz is also present at the Cavendish Boardwalk.

Shawn Donovan, the owner of Captain Scott's Fish and Chips, said many businesses on the boardwalk and around town are staying open for the festival. Donovan isn't sure what to expect for this weekend, but said he's heard a lot of good things about the event.

"I'm excited. Hopefully it brings a lot of people and the Island gets busy this time of year. It'd be good," he said.

Donovan said he's noticed more people on the boardwalk this week than usual. He thinks it's connected to the festival, since business tends to slow down a bit in September.

"Labour Day is a busy day and then it just drops," he said. "It's pretty slow for a lot of businesses."

He's optimistic the Sommo Festival will drive in some more people to eat this weekend.

Devon Cudmore, owner of Coastal Culture Inc. on the Cavendish Boardwalk, expects to be selling a lot of fleece sweaters to Sommo concertgoers this weekend.
Devon Cudmore, owner of Coastal Culture Inc. on the Cavendish Boardwalk, expects to be selling a lot of fleece clothing to Sommo concertgoers this weekend. (Aaron Adetuyi/CBC)

Devon Cudmore, president of Coastal Culture, said the festival can be a bump for clothing stores like his as well.

"With the cooler fall evenings, once that sun goes down, the temperature will drop," he said. "So I think we'll be selling a lot of fleece products this weekend."

Cudmore said the bonus of large concerts like the Sommo Festival is that people often stay for longer than just the event, especially if they're coming from far away.

"I had some customers today flying in from Vancouver Island just for the concert," he said. "So I think that's great, and I'm sure they've extended their stay having travelled across the country."