CORNWALL, Ontario – Local businesses and organizations in Cornwall are giving residents every reason to shop local.
If you have not seen them, the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Cornwall Economic Development has produced t-shirts with the slogan “Shop Local” emblazoned across the front.
“Our small businesses employ hundreds of local people and give back to the community by supporting local charities and minor sports,” says Rory McLennan, President of the Chamber. “We hope that area residents will return the favour by continuing to support our local stores and restaurants.”
Two of these snappy t-shirts are being given away weekly. Anyone who snaps a selfie while dining or shopping or being active in Cornwall can be entered to win if they share the photo on the We Shop in Cornwall Facebook page.
Mayor Leslie O’Shaughnessy explained how shopping local helps your neighbours.
“It is important to pause and think about the impact each one of us can have in our community,” he said. “The people who work in local stores and restaurants are our neighbours, and by supporting local business, you are really strengthening the community.”
Both the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce and the Cornwall Downtown Business Improvement Area and the Le Village Business Improvement Area have been working to further encourage the local economy.
Todd Lihou, Centretown Coordinator, petitioned the City of Cornwall on behalf of the BIA’s to have parking enforcement lifted starting at 4 p.m. for the month of December in both areas. Council liked the idea so much that on their Nov. 14 meeting they voted to begin the program the next day and looked into the possibility of lifting parking enforcement for the whole month of December.
“Local merchants can quickly bring in a product that you have found online, or may already have it in the store,” said Lihou. “Shopping locally also makes it easier to exchange, repair or return a product.”
Rory McLennan explained that shopping local helped not only local business, but local charities too.
“Lots of local businesses donate to charities,” he said. “If we don’t generate local business, we can’t support local charities.”
Anyone who wants to get their hands on a Shop Local t-shirt right away, can purchase one from the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce on the corner of Second and Sydney streets for $20.