SUPPORTING LOCAL

As a public figure and someone that would give you the shirt off my back if you needed it, this article is perhaps the hardest for me to write. It’s not about gardening, or tree care or even growing food. Today I’m writing to ask for your help on behalf of small businesses all around you.

In a lot of ways, the small businesses in Prince Edward County are as important as any other industry that allows our community to survive. 2024 has already been a really tough year for many retail stores and restaurants, myself included. That said, this past Canada Day weekend I faced the stark reality that maybe my market isn’t going to survive this economic downturn. I started asking other restaurants and businesses that I partner with, what they are experiencing. Without exception, every single conversation I had was about the decline in the tourist numbers and sales in general. So many people rely on others to purchase their food or their wares, and when those dollars dry up, so too do the reasons for people to want to live or visit the County.

Now you may read this and have opinions of who we should blame for where we are at, but I haven’t ever found finger-pointing to be effective in anything other than creating bad feelings. This isn’t my intention. Instead, I want to ask you to help me fix the problem and here is what I’m asking for from you:

1. Before you click on the check out button for your online order, please ask yourself if this is a product or an item that you can get locally? I know it may be more expensive to purchase from your neighbour, and during times like this, we are all trying to save where we can. That said, going into a store and showing your support means more than you can ever know.
2. We need to start talking to each other. As Canadians, we are more likely to walk away from a store or a restaurant that we feel might be too expensive or no longer meets our needs. Instead, talk to the owner and be honest if you feel it’s become too pricey to remain their customer. I know that I want to hear that customers would come back if I supplied less expensive options or if I wasn’t meeting my clients’ needs.
3. You might say that this should be obvious that during times like this we need to hunker down and save where we can. I completely agree. Many places that are open today need to find their own path to surviving what could potentially be a very hard year ahead. Show your support to your favourite places by even just stopping by to say hello. Just letting them know that you haven’t abandoned them matters on an emotional level and helps fight the uncertainty that retail and restaurant operators face daily.

I want to be here for you and for all of those that rely on my store, including staff and customers. I know that every small business owner feels the exact same way. Blood, sweat and tears doesn’t go far enough when you have to tell your staff that you can no longer employ them because the revenue just isn’t there. I’ve had to repeat the same conversation to people I care about so many times over the last few weeks, and I hope to never have to do it again. This is why I’m asking you to support

local first. If we can pull together as a community, we can remain ‘County Strong’. I hope that you feel the same way.

CARSON ARTHUR,
CARSON’S GARDEN + MARKET