Editor:
I was very upset to hear that a Walmart location has been approved for Prince Rupert.
Believe it or not, not having one in Prince Rupert was a factor of my decision to move to this town three years ago.
Has anyone ever heard of the documentary Wal-Town by Sergio Kirby? Check it out!
Since moving to Prince Rupert I haven’t had the need to drive to Terrace to purchase additional supplies for my home. Sure I pay more by supporting local businesses but I’m helping our community. I’m also a student and don’t have much money, but I do it anyway because it’s right.
Locally owned shops in Prince Rupert are dwindling and seem to be hanging by a thread. By allowing Walmart into our town we will cut that thread. How can it be cheaper to drive to Terrace to buy groceries when you’re spending X amount of money on fuel to get there?
Instead of pushing for a Walmart why don’t we push for a local seafood market with prices that locals can afford to pay.
Why do I have to go to Safeway to purchase fresh fish that has already traveled to Vancouver and back when it’s being off-loaded on our local docks. Meat could be affordable and fresh if we harvested the overpopulated deer on Haida Gwaii and started selling it locally, probably better for you too. Let’s brainstorm. Easier isn’t always better.
We as consumers, yes CONSUMERS, in this day and age should try looking for quality over cheaper products. Try not buying a made in China product for one year. It’s hard. Instead I go to garage sales and get old things that still have a “lifetime warranty”. I can’t bare to see our dollars going to some gigantic corporation and not back into the community.
Please don’t support the Walmart.
Lets try to make Prince Rupert a better place for the future with character and personable businesses where people say hi and smile because they recognize and appreciate your business not because they are trained and paid to do it.
Amy M.
Prince Rupert