Chemainus business owner Nuria Sanchez posed an interesting question to residents about Old Town and received numerous replies, some off-topic but also some with legitimate points.
“Question for all the people who live in the most wonderful place in the world,” wrote Sanchez, who operates Vintiquity Antiques on Maple Street. “What can we do as business owners to have you come down and visit us in Old Town Chemainus? I am baffled by the fact that many people who live here do not know there are businesses down here, since this is all I’ve known in the past five years.
“What do we need to do? How can we get more visibility to you? I want us all to be able to support each other after two years of COVID and now ferry cancellations and lack of tourism. What can we do and how can we do it?”
Old Town includes the businesses along Oak Street and Maple Street. A block of establishments at Croft Place on Croft Street lies between Old Town and Downtown, almost as a connecting point.
Some residents who responded to Sanchez’s query thought there are too many places that sell arts and crafts and not basic household or clothing items.
“I think a lot of people, they didn’t understand my question,” said Sanchez. “I don’t want to change my business model. My antique business is going well. I do want locals to come down to Old Town.”
When people do, she noted the reaction is often the same. ‘I didn’t know you were here.’
Residents seemed to gravitate toward the former Twisted Sisters Tearoom at the Vintiquity location prior to her time and Sanchez would like to see that again.
“Even if it’s just to pop by and say hello,” she said. “Even if they want to come down and browse through memory lane or what they call ‘the museum.’ It’s Old Town, it’s close to the water. The only difference is I don’t charge admission.”
Sanchez’s Facebook post did generate some good suggestions.
The age-old refrain of being open later and the wide-scale closures on Mondays came up.
“I completely understand the people, everything closes so early,” noted Sanchez. “But we are open on weekends. I used to be open Monday and it didn’t really make any difference.”
Pamela Dobbs wrote things haven’t really changed in that section of town for a long time.
“It’s always been this way since ‘uptown’ was built,” she indicated. “Old Town was the original place. It is very strange. Maybe painting all the buildings, giving a fresh facelift, making it look ‘old’ historical like Barkerville, B.C.”
The issue of waterfront surfaced and many felt access to it would make a huge difference. A walkway along the water is in North Cowichan’s latest Chemainus revitalization plan, but has yet to be fulfilled.
“For a beautiful oceanside town there is nowhere ‘in town’ to eat/drink on the water, ” stated Patti McKnight. “Ladysmith Marina or Crofton – where you can at least see the ocean from the Osborne Bay Pub – are closest. Pie-in-the-sky wish, a seawall walk from the ferry to Kin Beach with spots for small stands for browsing on the water. That would bring people, but they would need to park.”
Others cited some type of celebration as a means for bringing people to Old Town.
“Close the street for a dog parade, multicultural foodfest, wellness fair, healthcare appreciation, get Rotary involved,” offered Dennis Moffat.
“I think we need a Maple Street street party,” suggested Teresa Carter. “Pancake breakfast, music, etc. Something special at Kin Beach?”
“I like the idea people brought up about having an event down there,” said Sanchez.
The bottom line is a conversation started, with the betterment of the community in mind.
“They need to know there’s businesses down here,” summed up Sanchez. “I know a lot of people have come by since that post.
“I really want to thank everyone for their replies. Glad we were able to have this discussion. And maybe this will bring more of our townsfolk down to Old Town.”
