Arlene Dickinson, best known to TV audiences from the hit show “Dragons’ Den,” headed to Vancouver this season to film the finale of the spin off show “The Big Decision.” Entrepreneurial icon Arlene Dickinson visited Save on Meats in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside to see if she could help owner, Mark Brand, trim the fat off the business, deal with mounting debt and increase community support. The show airs on CBC Tuesday, November 27 at 9:00 pm. For more information visit www.cbc.ca/thebigdecision
Each episode of “The Big Decision” focuses on two Canadian businesses that are struggling to survive in today’s volatile economy. In the end either Jim Treliving or Arlene Dickinson must decide whether they will invest in one, both or neither of the companies vying for their cash. One of Canada’s most-renowned marketing communications entrepreneurs, Arlene Dickinson, is CEO and owner of Venture Communications. Facing mounting debts and a need for renovations, Brand is in need of her help. The stakes are high – will Arlene decide to come to his financial aid or will they lose this neighborhood icon?
Save on Meats has been a Vancouver landmark since it opened in 1957, serving the local community with a butcher shop and lunch counter. Much to the dismay of local patrons Save on Meats closed it’s doors in 2008 after 52 years in operation. The community thought this was the end of this iconic establishment. Mark Brand, however, one of Vancouver’s most recognized entrepreneurs, decided to revive the enterprise after seeing what a devastating effect its closure had on the community. He started to resurrect the Save on Meats enterprise in 2010, and reopened its doors on June 27, 2011.
Today, Save on Meats houses a butcher shop, sandwich counter, diner and much more. Brand and his team are working to produce a true social enterprise by collaborating with community partners and programs, to create a sustainable business model serving the varied Downtown Eastside area. Save on Meats employs over 65 workers, many of which live in the community, some struggling with employment barriers. With strong ties in community initiatives including a meal program for 450+ people per day seven days a week, Save On Meats is a strong anchor in the renewal of Hastings Street. Save on Meats wants to ensure that everyone within the neighborhood has somewhere to eat and congregate. What does the future hold? Tune in on November 27, 9pm EST to find out.
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Save on Meats has been a Vancouver landmark since in opened in 1957. Mark Brand resurrected the enterprise in 2011 with a vision to restore the building back to its prime for the local East Vancouver community and Vancouver residents. Today, Save on Meats houses a butcher shop, sandwich counter, diner and much more. Working with local partners, Save on Meats is a leader in the charge to make the social business model independently sustainable.
4 comments
As Vancouverites, we have studied Save-on-Meats on many occasions. We sit there wondering how long the love can last before they start thinking about the money. Our conclusion is that it is way to easy to increase sales and profits but just needs the right ideas implemented. We love the community idea and Kudos to Mark et al. but as we say “The Proof is in the Profit”.. ……..good luck with Arlene but remember she may know little about the food business and we think you could even teach her a thing or two about marketing!
Excellent program. What a great vision this man has!
Great show!
That should be “many of WHOM”
not “many of which”
when referring to people.
From your friendly grammar police.