To the editor:
I see the annual Hot July Nights Show 'n Shine is moving to Centennial Park instead of Birch Avenue.
I believe this is a big mistake.
The two things merchants in 100 Mile House complain about the most are lack of tourists to Birch Avenue and shopping locally.
So, instead of embracing both on a day where their business is front and centre with hundreds of people on their street, they choose to turn their backs on a huge opportunity.
I really can't believe it. I suppose their reasoning is they won't make as much money with the car show on the street.
I don't know if they will or they won't make more money, but I know there is a much bigger picture that the merchants are missing.
It isn't about the dollars you make in one day; it is about future business from word-of-mouth after the wonderful day of looking at classic cars and wandering in and out of stores. Really, this is a big event; it is time to showcase our unique shopping district.
It is not too late to re-evaluate your decision.
One sure thing is if the car show is held in the park, we should never again hear merchants complain about shopping locally or saying tourists are avoiding the downtown core, because it is obvious at least to me they don't want either.
I know from years as a director on the board of the South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce that it is a very few merchants who don't want events on Birch Avenue and yet they seem to speak for the majority.
Jeff Kendy
100 Mile House
