The Executive Director of the Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association says there have been 21 new businesses that have opened downtown since the COVID-19 pandemic started.
Carl DeSantis says he was blown away with those ‘remarkable’ numbers, noting it shows that business owners are confident about the future of the downtown.
“That just reinforces all of the other projects that we have seen going on downtown between The Hive, City Gardens, over on Lorne Street, 444 St. Paul,” he said. “We have got mixed commercial, we’ve got commercial, and we’ve got residential. Talk about a densification strategy to enhance our downtown community.”
“It is just absolutely remarkable [the confidence] that the business leaders, particularly those 21 new businesses have in our downtown and the vision that they have looking ahead.”
On the flip side, DeSantis says some businesses have had to close because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and he says losing even one business for any reason is terrible.
“The actual number right now is much lower that we had initially expect,” he added. “I don’t know what its at, but like I say, its more than one, but its not a lot, yet. That doesn’t mean we’re out of the woods obviously.”
Speaking on the NL Noon Report, he says that is why it is important for people to support local businesses during these tougher times, so that they’re able to stay open.
“Sure, I’m going to tell you all about downtown and that’s my job, but its not just downtown in this case,” added DeSantis. “We need to focus on keeping our keeping businesses going as without that the community will stagnate.”
“It is our businesses, our small businesses that employ you. They employ our families, our kids, our grand kids, so please, support local.”