Local Chambers And Rural Businesses Are Asking The Community For Support This Holiday Season

The Hometown Holiday campaign, organized by four local chambers of commerce is underway, and encouraging Peterborough County and the Kawarthas to support local businesses and shops located in the city and surrounding townships.

“I can appreciate that it’s a different experience in smaller communities - in the best way,” said Joel Wiebe, Peterborough Chamber. “When you go into the smaller communities around Peterborough County you experience that quaintness that we love about these communities.”

While Wiebe acknowledges how important local businesses are within the city of Peterborough, he points out how unique small businesses that are located outside the city can be.

“They’re not trying to be a big city, you can be so in touch with the people you’re buying from. It has a whole other level of community feel to it,” he said.

“Now more than ever it is very important that people support the small businesses in their community so the businesses can continue to be there for the community in the future,” said Bernadette MacNeil, owner Millbrook Mercantile.

The Millbrook Mercantile is a mix of both retail and culinary products. They source locally whenever possible, and provide everything from health and beauty to gourmet food.

“Because we don’t have any big box stores out here, I think its super important that the community try to get an mush shopping done locally and then if they need, leave whatever big purchases for your Costco runs - just get as much done here and limit your purchases at the bigger stores.”

“We rely on locals to keep us going, because cottagers come up all summer long and then ts just locals over the winter- we try to keep them happy the best we can and keep the shelves full,” said Lynn Northup, assistant manager at Havelock Home Hardware.

Located about 40 minutes from Peterborough and 15 minutes from Cambellford, small shops in Havelock may be the only option for some residents that are unable to drive.

“We’re surrounded by little towns, but this town has so much to offer so if you don’t drive this is the only place you can get most of your stuff so we try to stock as much as we can so people have that option.”

Located between Lakefield and Peterborough is Garden Style Bridgenorth, an almost 20 year old business that attributes their success to the support of their community.

“The key element of shopping local is that youre supporting someone that lives in your community,” said Michelle Gay, owner. “If people don’t shop in these little stores there just not going to be around anymore - because we need the people in our community to maintain our business.”

Garden Style carries a wide range of décor items, all focusing on being unique.

“Most of the people who shop here are people who live here or the immediate area - so those people rely on the smaller shops bc they don’t want to have to drive into the city. So, if you don’t have those small shops people would have to make that commute to get what they need. We rely on our community to support our business.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.