Customers watch sports on TV, while stylists cut their hair.
If you’re into watching sports – and based on the number of sports bars we have in Langley, there are obviously a lot of you out there – this should appeal to many locals.
This is the concept behind one of Langley’s newest businesses, Sport Clips Langley, which opens Friday at 20108A Fraser Hwy. (next to Mr. Lube).
Since sports is key to this new Langley business, it seems only fitting that owners Tracy MacRae and Ann McCusker have chosen a cool sports-related charity drive to help mark their official grand opening celebration on Sunday.
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 17, the Sports Clip team will be offering haircuts by donation to A4K (Athletics for Kids).
“A4k is grateful to be the recipient of these donations during Sport Clips grand opening in Langley. Every donation will help us give more local kids a chance to participate in sport and enjoy the great benefits that brings. We put kids in sports. They put themselves in the game,” said Sandy Hancock, a4k’s executive director.
In addition to helping young, underprivileged kids get active in team sports, MacRae and McCusker have invited a few local sports teams to be part of their opening festivities.
There will be multiple prize giveaways, as well as an autograph signing by team members from the Langley Rivermen and appearances by members of the Langley Rams junior football team.
“As a new member of the Langley business community, we are so excited to be able to partner with a great local charity like a4k. Sports is a big part of our brand and working closely with community charities, teams, and schools is what Sport Clips is all about” the pair said.
Sport Clips is a Texas based company that has more than 1,400 franchises in the U.S. It has just recently started opening up north of the 49th Parallel, with Langley being one of 30 stores opened so far across the country, and more expected before the end of the year.
“Our goals: We want to become closely integrated into our local community through minor and recreational sports, local schools, charities, and businesses,” MacCrae said.
“Our vision is to build a mutually beneficial partnership to provide added value at local events to players, fans, students, charity volunteers, employees, and clients.”
Biz group helping launch breakfast club
On the topic of sports, charity, and fun, the Walnut Grove Business Association is combining those three things into one event next week.
They are hosting the annual charity golf classic at The Redwoods Golf Course on Tuesday, July 19.
The event, in its second year, is expected to be double the size of the inaugural tournament, and consequently raise more than double the amount of money for charity, said WGBA executive coordinator Teresa Brown.
Last year, for instance, there were 52 golfers who took part. This year, it’s already at 100 and golfers still have until Friday (July 15) to register at admin@wgba.ca or 604-866-7338.
Since last year’s event raised $4,500, Brown is hopeful this year’s tournament will generated more than $10,000. And she thinks it is possible thanks in part to the increased registrations, but also thanks to increased sponsorships, and the addition of new activities including a tailgate party, mega putting contest, and golf pong.
During the barbecued steak and salmon banquet dinner that will follow, WGBA co-chair Bikram Gill and past-chair Karen Reynolds will unveil plans for an exciting new charity project.
The business association’s goal remains to provide networking opporunities for area businesses, fight crime in their neighbourhood, and give back to the community.
On the give-back end of things, WGBA has been working closely with the Langley School District Foundation for years, and this year the two organizations are hoping to partner on a new initiative that will feed hungry kids in Walnut Grove, Brown elaborated.
This September they hope to launch a Walnut Grove Breakfast Club that will be piloted at Walnut Grove Secondary and be open to any children in the school.
“It’s shocking how many kids come to school on a Monday and haven’t eaten all weekend,” Brown said.
She checked into a few similar programs operating in Langley, including the program at Brookswood Secondary, and was “amazed” at the benefits being seen in the classrooms and, in general, among the student population.
While they’re still working out the details, including seeking out some sponsorships, a large portion of the proceeds from Tuesday’s golf tournament will be earmarked for the breakfast club creation, Brown said.
(Read more below)
Special to the Langley Advance
Increased sponsorship and more registrants are helping assure that Tuesday’s second annual Walnut Grove Business Association golf tourney will raise money to feed hungry kids.
Calling aspiring young entrepreneurs
And now, on the subject of food – and you know it’s always easy for me to segue to that topic (he he) – I wanted to let you know about a chamber of commerce monthly lunch-and-learn session highlighting Futurpreneur Canada next Wednesday, July 20.
Each month, the board room of the new Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce offices (at #207 8047 199th St.) is opened up for a networking and education session.
This time around, Futurpreneur Canada’s Mina Haghighi will speak about fuelling the entrepreneurial passions of young Canadians looking to start businesses in Langley.
This is a national, non-profit organization that provides financing, mentoring, and support tools to aspiring business owners aged 18 to 39.
The lunch runs noon to 1:30 p.m., with networking starting at 11:30 a.m. for those who want to come by early. Pre-registration is required, by calling 604-371-3770 or by visiting the chamber website at www.langleychamber.com.
She will explain about Futurpreneur Canada, formerly the Canadian Youth Business Foundation, and discuss how young entrepreneurs can get going on their business goals. She will aslo discuss how seasoned business professionals can give back to the community through mentoring of young enterpreneurs.
Design Lighting honoured
Langley Advance’s former neighbours, Design Lighting, have earned themselves some bling.
The lighting company, which is now technically operating in a Surrey warehouse/industrial area off the Langley Bypass on 192nd Street, was just honoured with a North American award for their work on their showroom.
Dallas Market Center and Residential Lighting announced winners of the seventh annual Showroom of the Year awards during the opening night of the summer edition of Lightovation – Dallas International Lighting Show.
The event at the end of June recognized top lighting retailers throughout North America in three overall excellence and three specialty categories.
One Showroom of the Year was named in each of three dollar-volume categories (annual revenue under $2 million, revenue under $5 million, and $5 million and over) from a field of up to 10 finalists in that category. Revenue Under $2 Million went to Progressive Lighting, from Atlanta, GA; Revenue Under $5 Million went to Accent Lighting, Lake Oswego, Ore.; Revenue $5 Million and more went to Lightology, Chicago, Ill.
All finalists were also eligible for three specialty awards: outstanding merchandising display, exceptional community involvement, and social media star.
That’s where Design Lighting shone (pun intended), winning the outstanding merchandising display.
Three retail and design experts judged the 2016 finalists and winners, and they had a bit to say about Design Lighting – which is no stranger to this category, having received it twice in the past.
Judges acknowledged the local company’s past accolades, then added: “But transitioning to an entirely all-LED offering earned this showroom additional recognition this year. By assigning different areas of the store to different staff members, multiple design sensibilities are encouraged. And interactive room settings and outdoor environments engage customers.”
One judge added: “This company is doing everything right.”
Kudos to the team at Design Lighting for this industry recognition and their ongoing accomplishments.