The Chemainus Business Improvement Association’s current ad campaign is exactly what the town needs going forward from the invasion of our normal lives by the COVID-19 virus.
The CBIA has been running several ads in the Courier the last few weeks that spotlight each of the businesses in town and the people behind those operations.
For those who didn’t know them already, it’s brilliant to put a face to each of those businesses and learn something about them. Most have realized hardships while trying to maintain their livelihoods and serve the town.
People are taking notice, it seems.
“Yes, we are getting a great response,” said Krystal Adams, the executive director of the CBIA, whose clever campaign is truly what Chemainus needs in this uncertain time to bring everyone together.
The idea is connection. We need connection more than ever before on a personal level, on a community level, on every level to survive this pandemic with some semblance of our former lives and brighter prospects for the future after the economy has taken such a devastating hit.
The rebound process will be difficult. Some businesses are not going to survive while others will pick up the pieces and continue on as best as they can.
The survival of the town itself in the long-term will depend on supporting local first and foremost.
Some folks have made that a priority already during the pandemic and have been both pleasantly surprised and impressed with the level and quality of service. You’ve got to give them a chance.
The small town businesses are the ones supporting your community events and providing a helping hand to so many local causes.
The CBIA’s ad campaign gives us a great insight on those who are brewing your coffee, selling great products and cooking up fantastic food. It’s kind of like a throwback to the good old days when everybody knew the butcher, the baker and even the candlestick maker on every block in their towns that creates a unified community.
That will be our saving grace years after COVID-19 becomes but a distant memory.