Editor:
Re: Strategy to help local businesses deal with TFN malls, Oct. 24
My wife and I have operated a small family-run business (lawn equipment repair and bicycle shop) in Ladner over the past six years.
I read your article regarding a consultant being hired to strategize as to how small businesses like ours will be able to cope with the opening of one of the largest shopping centres in the province. I wanted to comment on this issue from a small business owner's perspective.
We have already been fighting to stay competitive in retail sales with a few of the big box stores in Richmond and Surrey. Over the past five years, our numbers have declined substantially on the retail side.
The opening of a massive shopping complex right here in our "back yard" is going to drain away even more potential customers that would have otherwise walked into our shop.
It is unfortunate it will go this way, as small, locallyowned and operated businesses really are the brick and mortar of South Delta. Yes, we have our Save-Ons and Safeways, but look around Ladner Trunk Road or down 56th Street and you will find a generous split between home-grown shops and the corporate giants.
In my opinion, to build a "strategy" is the Corporation of Delta's way of trying to assure us everything will be OK. The fact this plan was ever conceived means Delta knows there will be business hardship imposed on the local mom-and-pop shops.
We are not blaming the municipality; this development is completely out of its hands.
With this giant looming over our heads, our lease coming up and due to the nature of commercial building leases, we are sad to announce we will be closing our own shop this Christmas in preparation for the upcoming change in the Delta business landscape.
Our shop has been in operation 17-plus years now (including the previous owners), but with these developments occurring and people looking to save a buck where they can, we don't see how we can carry on in the retail trade.
We also feel this will most likely be the case with many other small businesses in our area in the coming months.
Adrian and Tina Hoell
