Christmas season is the perfect time to support local economy, retailers say

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BY KRIS MCDAVID
Times & Transcript staff

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MIRAMICHI - As November gradually fades into December, Miramichi small business owners are hoping holiday shoppers elect to send some holiday cheer their way, in support of the local economy.

Emily Hanscomb, owner of Her Clothes Closet on Water Street in downtown Chatham, said it's paramount for Miramichiers to spend locally during the holiday season, and help out their neighbours.

"It would certainly be to our advantage if more people from Miramichi were to shop locally," said Hanscomb.

Hanscomb has operated her women's clothing store at its current location for the past decade.

She said that between two bustling downtown shopping districts in Chatham and Newcastle, as well as the ongoing retail development in Douglastown; Miramichi shoppers have a multitude of options for spending their dollars locally.

"I have never been able to find anything outside of the Miramichi that I'm not able to get here in the Miramichi," she said.

"It's just a matter of picking up the phone and looking around, because really, we do have a lot to offer."

Hanscomb said local independent businesses are constantly fighting an uphill battle against larger shopping destinations in Moncton and Fredericton.

She added that area residents have the luxury of a vibrant small business community at their disposal, offering a wealth of services.

"We have excellent cafes, one of the best Irish pubs around, a new exotic pet shop that just opened up, and a wonderful local arts and crafts gallery right next door."

"It's extremely important to remember to shop locally, because when we're gone people will be wondering, 'well what happened?' so if you don't use it, you're going to lose it," said Hanscomb.

Brian Donovan, executive director of Enterprise Miramichi, said that small, locally-owned businesses play a vital role in driving the regional economy.

He said that of the 1,100 businesses listed in the Enterprise Miramichi database, more than 96 per cent of those fall into the category of small-to-medium sized business.

"These businesses have to figure out every day how to make sure that they're treating their customers well and to be able to make sales," said Donovan.

Donovan said the silver lining to the hordes of Miramichiers who make the weekend pilgrimage to Champlain Place in Dieppe, are the consumers from the northern climbs of the province who elect to come to Miramichi to fill their shopping bags.

"We have a lot of people from all points in northeastern New Brunswick telling us that this is a really good place to shop," said Donovan.

"So, instead of somebody from Caraquet travelling all the way to Moncton, they may just come to Miramichi and find exactly what they're looking for."

And Leigh-Anne Bennici, a general manager with DowntownS Miramichi, said that search should begin and end in the downtown cores on either side of the river.

"As a community, we're always trying to find different ways to get people into the downtowns and into the businesses as well," she said.

"Despite the economic downturn that everyone's talking about, there have been new businesses opening and people calling me about finding space to lease. Downtowns bring something different and unique to shoppers, and even though we shouldn't discourage people from shopping at the malls, this is the place to go if you truly want to support local."