Mark:  Hi, it’s Mark Bossert from Top Local Lead Generation.  We’re here talking about Squamish, BC, a pretty amazing part of this province with Mr. Darren McCartney.  Darren’s a realtor and a commercial realtor in Squamish.  How’re you doing today Darren?

Darren:  Doing great Mark, how’re you?

Mark:  I’m great.  So what’s going on in beautiful Squamish in the business climate in November 2014?

Darren:  You know, it’s interesting; the last three or four years, very challenging years up here and we are starting to see some pretty good signs of healthy recovery.  We went through a time period where there was lots of vacancies.  It didn’t matter what market segment you were looking at; there were businesses shutting down, there were lots of closures, just a lot of people struggling there for four or five years but in the last, you know, I’d say six to nine months in particular we’re really seeing that turn upside down due to the weak market, very little’s been developed in the commercial sector and most areas where there may have been fifteen percent vacancy have tightened up so both retail downtown, industrial park vacancies really tightened up and that’s a very healthy sign.  Offices dragging a little bit but you know we’re really starting to see signs of new people getting confidence and investing in business up here so it’s kind of exciting to see.

Mark:  So what types of business are starting up in Squamish and are there any examples?

Darren:  There are, historically we’ve always got this population of businesses, local population call it grocery stores, doctors, dentists, that kind of thing that are really just the number of people drive the number of these businesses that can survive.  We’re starting to see a few different areas where people are showing up right now, Whistler people moving down here, opening up businesses.  We’ve got people who have moved here and who have been commuting for a period of time opening up businesses and then people who are finding it just expensive in the lower mainland to do business and coming up here for affordability and lifestyles an added benefit.  Sometimes the driver, some examples lately, of a few of those different businesses working on Sea to Sky business park; we’ve had almost all new tenants in our preleasing there, we’ve got a new climbing gym opening up which is local people putting together a much needed facility that will service local population and tourists and so they’ve got a facility opening next summer, they’ve signed a deal.   I’ve got a Martial Arts guy out of Whistler, a very successful business in Whistler he decided, hey why not Squamish and he’s been kind of starting into the market on a smaller basis in the past six months or a year and he’s ready to triple in size and leasing space.  Light industrial  . . . .  were the business hub of the corridor and I’ve got guys who’re doing rock work everywhere from Pemberton, Whistler, Vancouver, every direction choosing to set up their Light Industrial  businesses in Squamish, just did a deal on that.  You’re kind of seeing people from all over and even some of the home based businesses is starting to need to get out of their house and expand because their businesses are starting to blossom and they need space so really kind of seeing it from all areas which is exciting and I think seeing more of it as we start getting development going here and whatnot again which we are seeing.  It’s just going to really continue to unfold and gain some momentum, so it’s kind of an exciting thing to see unfold. 

Mark:  Awesome, so things are definitely heating up in Squamish in November 2014, probably going to continue that way for quite a while.  Would that be your read on it?

Darren:  Absolutely, that’s what I feel right now.  What I say is, my phone’s ringing instead of me having to call people and it’s been that way for six months, so I think we’re in the tip of the iceberg right now, which is great.

Mark:  Awesome, so we’ve been talking with Mr. Darren McCartney about Squamish BC.  It’s heating up, up there November 2014 so give him a call. 

You can reach him at squamishcommercialproperty.com or call him at 1-604-892-4875. 

Thanks a lot Darren.

Darren:  Thanks.