As a public figure and someone who would give you the shirt off my back if you needed it, this article is perhaps the hardest for me to write. It’s not about gardening, or tree care or even growing food. Today I’m writing to ask for your help on behalf of small businesses all around you.

The small businesses in Prince Edward County are as important as any other industry that allows our community to survive. 2024 has already been a really tough year for many retail stores and restaurants, mine included. This past Canada Day weekend I faced the stark reality that maybe the Garden Market isn’t going to survive this economic downturn. 

I started asking other restaurants and businesses that I partner with what they are experiencing. Without exception, every single conversation I had was about the decline in tourist numbers and sales in general. So many people rely on others to purchase their food or their wares. When those dollars dry up, so too do the reasons to want to live in or visit the county.

Now you may read this and have opinions about who we should blame for where we are at, but I haven’t ever found finger-pointing to be effective in anything other than creating bad feelings. This isn’t my intention. Instead, I want to ask you to help me fix the problem. Here are some suggestions:

•Before you click on the check-out button for your online order, please ask yourself if this is a product or an item that you can get locally. I know it may be more expensive to purchase from your neighbour and I know that during times like this, we are all trying to save where we can. That said, going into a store and showing your support means more than you can ever know.

•We need to start talking to each other. As Canadians, we are more likely to walk away from a store or a restaurant we feel might be too expensive or that no longer meets our needs. Instead, talk to the owner and be honest if you feel it has become too pricey. I know that I want to hear customers would come back if I supplied less expensive options or could meet their needs another way.

•You might say that during times like this we need to hunker down and save where we can. I completely agree. Many places that are open today need to find their own path to surviving what could be a very hard year ahead. You can show your support for your favourite places even just by stopping in to say hello. Just letting them know that you haven’t abandoned them matters on an emotional level and helps fight the uncertainty that retail and restaurant operators face daily.

I want to be here for all of those that rely on my store, from its hardworking staff to our customers. I know that every small business owner feels the exact same way. Blood, sweat and tears don’t go far enough when you have to tell your staff that you can no longer employ them because the revenue just isn’t there. I’ve had to repeat the same conversation to people I care about so many times over the last few weeks, and I hope to never have to do it again. This is why I’m asking you to support local first. If we can pull together as a community, we can remain “County Strong.”