Businesses pleased with Chamber’s support through the pandemic

Throughout the pandemic, the Chamber of Commerce serving Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, has been instrumental in promoting ‘buy local’, supporting businesses through continued updates, deals, and advocating on behalf of its members. In response, the chamber members have recognized these efforts as they now look towards what COVID-recovery would look like.

Jessica Saial, owner of the newly opened cafe, The Nut, has felt the support of the Chamber as they opened their business right in the middle of the pandemic.

“Our family designed The Nut around the current retail landscape, and help from the community has been imperative. Being a member of the local Chamber of Commerce has supported us with marketing, infrastructure systems and general guidance on day-to-day things. We have gained contacts in the community who have walked us through each process,” she said.

Saial noted that operating a business during COVID has had its challenges, however, she said, they received continuous support from the community for The Nut, with strong repeat customers and new faces in the door everyday — a sign of recovery.

“As a result of COVID, we have experienced less foot traffic and community exposure of our business. We look forward to support from the Chamber spreading the word and being able to host members at the the shop for local events etc. and we look forward to the streets filling up as the weather improves and the world hopefully returns to some normalcy,” she said.

The chamber’s executive director, Mark Vosper, agreed with this hope for recovery, and noted that towards the end of last year and continuing into this, more foot traffic has gradually been seen returning to retail stores.

“People seem to be coming to terms living with the pandemic and its health restrictions, or are totally fed up with the whole thing now. With the majority of Canadians having received their COVID-19 vaccine, optimism, and resilience will hopefully continue leading us on the path back to more familiar times and increased trade for our members,” he said.

The chamber has also been active in communicating and understanding what the economic needs of both the cities are. Towards the end of last year, the chamber had discussions with Mayors of both cities highlighting each others’ committments to economic development and advocacy for local businesses.

Recently, the chamber’s board of directors and the executive director got a glimpse into how businesses are setting forth on the path to recovery, when they toured the newly completed Pitt Meadows Regional Airport facility. Here, Guy Miller, the general manager, walked them through the airport’s plans to encourage new businesses to the area and to stimulate economic growth.

The airport welcomed a new cafe earlier this month, in place of the Runway cafe. The temporary cafe called Charlie Foxtrot, will be moving to the new terminal during spring, and will run as a full-fledged restaurant, Whiskey Charlie. These changes coming to the area, impressed the chamber directors, according to Vosper.

ALSO READ: Charlie Foxtrot café to greet flyers temporarily at Pitt Meadows airport

Another local business owner and member of the chamber, Sandra Taylor, owner and operator of the Westgate Flower Garden, has had a very busy two years but is now facing hiccups in her business’ recovery. She however said she constantly felt supported by the chamber throughout the pandemic.

“We felt they had increased their communication through COVID to help us know that there was support that could be given which meant so much,” she said.

For Taylor, COVID recovery would mean less stress trying to get supplies vital for running the business smoothly.

“It’s been stressful this year. Last year was fine it’s like things caught up on wholesalers and shipping out product and hard goods. I’m not sure that this is really something the chamber can help with, but just knowing they are behind us is support in itself,” she said.

Michele Rae, owner of Mardecus Hair Salon had a rough go through the pandemic. Not only did her business take a hit from the pandemic-related restrictions, but she also saw a car crash through the front window of her business, damaging the exterior. The business, which has been in Maple Ridge, for 22 years, saw the industry change substantially, in just the past two years.

While things are slowly going back to how they were before the pandemic, looking ahead, Rae is hoping that businesses are continued to be notified on grants and opportunities, changes etc., but also on how to build business in this new world.

“There is lots of great advice, but it isn’t always industry-specific. Getting some industry-specific advice and help from the chamber would be really helpful,” she said.

Vosper acknowledged these variety of challenges on the road to recovery, including the significant switch to online shopping by consumers due to the pandemic restrictions.

“Moving into 2022, we will be taking the Chamber of Commerce forward with an increased presence and community involvement from our Board of Directors and Chamber staff. We look forward to supporting businesses with post-COVID recovery promotions to encourage consumers back to all sectors, but largely to those most impacted such as the tourism, hospitality, and event sectors,” said Vosper.

ALSO READ: Vendors can start applying to be a part of 2022 Farmer’s Market