Dear editor,
Have you noticed how many stores in Courtenay have closed recently?
There are probably a variety of reasons for these closings.
However, there is often a lack of customers as many people seem to think if an item comes from Victoria, Vancouver or the U.S. it has to be better and less expensive than a similar item that is available in the Comox Valley.
We can't assume a bigger city has a better selection than our local stores, for example, a car, a lighting fixture or patio furniture purchased in Vancouver isn't better than one from Courtenay and if something is wrong, another trip to Vancouver is necessary at great expense now the ferry fares keep rising.
Every time a business closes in the Valley it is less business tax going to the municipal government so where will council make up this lost revenue — obviously from you.
Generally we do appear to support local farmers, which is plain to see at the Wednesday and Saturday markets. We are most fortunate to have all this wonderful meat and produce available here.
In the future when making a purchase, big or small, buy local and grow our community.
We are happy here in our Valley; it's the reason we came here in the first place and it would be a shame to lose our small stores here in Courtenay.
Our community wouldn't be the same without them.
J. Manley,
Courtenay