By: Lorraine White-Wilkinson

Lorraine White-Wilkinson — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 03:13:19 +0000

Funny – I am a graduate student at SFU in Arts Education. I tried to make it to your lecture but could not arrange it. Too bad – funny coincidence. – Lorraine

By: loisholzman

loisholzman — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:49 +0000

Thanks, Lorraine! Stories like yours are important to spread the word about! By coincidence, I’m flying to Vancouver tomorrow evening (11/3) to do some consulting work and speak at Simon Fraser University! I’ll surely send my Vancouver friends to your store!

By: Lorraine White-Wilkinson

Lorraine White-Wilkinson — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:24:22 +0000

My husband and I own and operate a small retail store in Vancouver called Wilkinson’s Automobilia. We are a specialty store that sells automotive and motorcycle books and models to enthusiasts. It is a real community and a feel good place and is a destination loction in that we are in a small building off the beaten path. As in many retail situations, Christmas is our busiest time of year. This past year, 2008, Vancouver received an unusual dump of snow right around mid December. The roads were not plowed, and many in Vancouver simply do not drive when there is snow. This snow lasted past Christmas, and as a result, our sales were desperately low. On top of an uncertain economy, and the unexpected weather, we had way too much stock left unsold by the end of the Christmas season. As we rolled into the New Year, things did not pick up and suppliers were looking for thier money. Meanwhile, the stock was still sitting on our shelves, still unsold. Things were looking very bad. After being in business 20 years, we were in serious trouble and were looking at the very real possability of closing our doors. We are a one-of-a-kind store in Vancouver, and we have had world travellers tell us they have never seen such a comprehensive store with such enthusiastic staff. We knew if we closed our doors the community would be devistated. So, with our pride swallowed, we decided to send out an honest e-mail, explaining our financial troubles due to the weather and economy. As you mentioned in your blog – most small businesses keep this very private – it’s embarrassing…
Anyway – the e-mail explained our severe situation and asked for support from the community to keep us afloat. In addition to this, we had a last minute sale as well.
Well,- the phone calls came in like wildfire, people were dropping in the store non stop, everyone was talking and concerned that thier local hobby shop would be gone forever. The support was overwhelming. Because of this e-mail and honest communication with our customers, we are still in business and things are looking good.
I think the customers appreciated our honesty and were more than eager to help out in any small way. They recognized the importance of our little shop and it’s impact on the community. Yes, our little store is socially important and certainly recognized as adding to the fabric of our city. It was heart warming to know that so many people went out of thier way to help us out.
My advise to other shop keepers struggling to keep thier stores open, would be to involve your customers. They care and will support you if they are made aware of the reality of closure. It’s about community helping community.

By: hellen nuwagaba

hellen nuwagaba — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 07:30:40 +0000

thanks Lois and sorry you will have to locate another eating place, i believe in life we get what we negotiate for, sure if they had talked about it the problem would have been half solved.

Comments on: Don’t Let A Favorite Business Close

By: Lorraine White-Wilkinson

By: loisholzman

By: Lorraine White-Wilkinson

By: hellen nuwagaba

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