Dear Editor:
Lawrencetown Pharmasave announced recently it will be closing its doors for good. This very sad news prompted me to write this letter.
I am a small business owner in Lawrencetown and found this news heartbreaking. But lets stop to think about it. What prompts a business to close in the first place? Lack of sales.
We often take for granted that these owners are making a pile money. This is not so. We struggle on a daily basis to keep our heads above water. We work long hours and make very little money. Why do we do it? We truly love it. The people are wonderful and the community is small and safe.
Remember every time you drive by to spend your money in giant box stores (owned by billionaires and millionaires) it affects our own communities.
People should be aware that community events, fundraisers are supported by these small businesses. We sponsor local athletes, community halls, and even daycares.
Small business pays their share of taxes and community rates (whatever that may be). Ironic isn't it? We pay every cent they require and then listen to the news to find out more corporate welfare being handed out or they are building off lanes and putting up stop lights at our expense so you can get into the chain stores better. All under the banner of job creation.
Our economy is in the worst shape in our country’s history. Our problem worsens every time we go to box stores as more money goes into the pockets of the wealthy.
A strong economy is based on money being shared by all not the privileged few.
These box stores often own the wholesale distributors which allow them to control pricing to smaller stores. As competition is eliminated prices rise.
Small stores support local distributors and farmers. Chain stores find it is easier to support another country’s economy and import, import, import. Which is why our farmers, processing plants, and manufacturing is virtually all but gone.
We all remember 25 years ago how vibrant our communities were. Our families could get work or farm. Lots of shopping etc. Look around us. Where is everything gone? Including our youth.
So the next time you want milk, bread, furniture, hardware, burgers etc. buy local. We help support our communities. Help support us.
Mike Daley
Lawrencetown
