When the Rain Won't Stop: Dealing with Parking Lot Repairs at Angus Oliver

Well, folks, 2026 has been quite the year for central Alberta. While other parts of Canada have been battling devastating wildfires and watching homes burn to the ground, we've been dealing with something equally challenging: relentless rain. And let me tell you, all that moisture has finally caught up with us in ways we never anticipated.

Our parking lot at Angus Oliver Luxury Sheepskins has officially surrendered to the elements. The constant wet conditions combined with the regular visits from the GFL garbage truck have finally done what seemed inevitable—our parking surface has given up the will to live. What started as small cracks and puddles has evolved into a situation that demands immediate attention and serious investment.

The Unexpected Cost of Running a Physical Location

Here's the thing about owning a small business with a physical storefront: you're constantly juggling unexpected expenses. Last year, we invested in a brand new roof for our building, which cost us nearly half of Nat's annual salary. We were really hoping that 2026 would be a quieter year on the maintenance front, a chance to catch our breath and maybe even get ahead financially. But the universe had other plans.

The hardships of small business ownership are real and relentless. Between property maintenance, utilities, insurance, and now emergency parking lot repairs, the costs of maintaining a physical location can feel overwhelming. We're not alone in this struggle—small business owners across the country are facing similar challenges, trying to keep their doors open while managing expenses that seem to multiply faster than we can manage them.

Keeping Our Doors Open

Despite these setbacks, we remain committed to serving our community here in Wabamun, Alberta. We've always tried to keep our prices as low as possible because we understand that folks are struggling just like we are. We know times are tough, and we want to make our beautiful sheepskins and cowhides accessible to everyone.

But we'd be lying if we said we don't occasionally look at the books and wonder if we can sustain the physical store. The reality is that every major repair, every unexpected cost, brings us closer to that difficult decision. However, until we reach that point, we're open and ready to welcome you. Our store is absolutely filled with fantastic things—gorgeous Icelandic long wools, Welsh sheepskins, New Zealand sheepskins, Tibetan sheepskins, a rather epic gift shop and beautiful Brazilian cowhide rugs. We hope you'll make the drive to Wabamun to see everything for yourself.