With Winkler serving as the retail hub of southern Manitoba, drawing approximately 17,000 households weekly, Mayor Henry Siemens says Sunday shopping is fast becoming vital to support the evolving needs of both residents and visitors.
“We know that we can’t always get everything done Monday through Saturday.” - Henry Siemens, Mayor of Winkler
A changing city with growing needs
“The critical component is that our community is growing and it’s changing and the demographics are changing and the needs of the community are changing,” said Siemens. “As we step into that, we recognize that we need to have a consistent place to be able to do some pretty critical things.”
Winkler has established itself as the economic heart of southern Manitoba, with about 4,380 local jobs and a retail trading area serving around 17,000 households. On average, the city becomes home to 10-20 new businesses per year.
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Adding to the urgency, Winkler is one of Canada’s most culturally diverse communities. Recent data shows that roughly 25 percent of its residents are permanent immigrants, and nearly one-third speak a non-official language at home.
One of the businesses embracing Sunday hours is Shoppers Drugmart, owned by Zahid Zehri, which recently added Sunday openings.
“The Sunday shopping is going to provide a big opportunity for people to come with their kids,” Zehri said.
Mayor Siemens believes more local businesses following suit will help meet the needs of both residents and visitors.
“There are members in our community and even people who come to our community looking for some of those services,” he said.
As communities weigh the benefits of increased retail flexibility against the value of a collectively slower pace, the conversation shows no sign of fading. For now, shoppers and store owners alike navigate the patchwork of local bylaws and personal choices that shape what a Sunday in Manitoba looks like. And maybe what it will become in the years ahead.