Despite some planning challenges, the Swift Current Downtown Business Community Association is ready for its fourth annual Sidewalk Days tomorrow through Saturday.

Amy Tynning is the owner of Swift Shoe and the president of the SCDTBC.

"There were definitely some hurdles this year and even the decision-making process if the event would go on but we felt confident with the current safety measures in place by businesses and then the additional safety measures that we put in place for sidewalk sale specifically."

According to Tynning, the decision to hold the event was only finalized two weeks ago.

She added that while they will have some general measures in place, such as adding 24 hand sanitizer stations throughout the four blocks and encouraging shoppers to wear masks, each store already has their own mandates that will remain in place; meaning that shoppers will need to check signs and social media posts for specific safety measures.

Some stores, for example, she said, do require masks.  So although they are not mandatory, they are recommended to bring one.

Other stores will be keeping their merchandise inside so as to limit its physical contact from passers-by; a measure that is meant to limit the amount of disinfecting needed by staff.

"It might look different this year.  Some businesses, because of either the type of merchandise they sell or their staffing, won't be having products out on the sidewalk just because it's a little bit harder to ensure that customers passing by don't touch."

Despite the changes, Tynning added that as a business owner in a situation like COVID-19, where they are forced to close down for multiple months, events such as Sidewalk Days become even more important, and that the silver lining to the pandemic has been that it has made shoppers more aware and appreciative of local businesses, something that she very much appreciates.

"The silver lining for many business owners that talked to has been that people have chosen to step up, and instead of shopping online through amazon they are remembering all the local business owners and we appreciate that so, so much."