Raise the Hammer

This isn't a matter of convenience - it's a matter of shifting the quality of life downtown. Car traffic is not going to help get us any further than we are. Went down to my neighbourhood hardware store to get a key cut and pick up some little screws - it's just down the street from Mixed Media and has everything you need to get things done around the house. I asked how things are going and also asked the owners if they knew what was happening with the Shoppers building when they move to Wellington and Cannon. They said that no one had a clue what was going on - and I said I hadn't heard anything either. The one owner commented that they should just tear the existing building down and make more parking. I replied that that was a horrible idea. He said if his business had more convenient parking - he would have more business. I insisted the future of his business was remaining a small but well stocked hardware store servicing the needs of the downtown community who arrive by walking, biking or the occasional car ride. Why would anyone who wasn't within easy travelling distance visit this small hardware store downtown - when they could easily access a larger store closer to their homes. Out of neighbourhood patronage for this kind of business just isn't feasible anymore - but concentrated community minded and marketed businesses can tap into customers that are just waiting to know about them. I can't tell you how many people I recommend this hardware store to!

We continued to talk about parking and I was adamant that James North doesn't need more parking and another customer comes in and says - "you talking about parking in the downtown?". I said "yeah". And he said "there's way too much parking downtown as there is".

Downtown is for people AND their cars, bike, feet, etc. not just for cars to zoom through!