Dear Editor:
I was delighted to see the March 22 letter of protest, from the owner of Avant Gardener, concerning West Vancouver council hearing complaints about "horrible" little shops in Ambleside. Bravo!
It is time to talk about what really works in this shopping area. There are many delightful and successful small shops, coffee houses, restaurants, etc. that should be encouraged and patronized. Those that scream about how boring and run-down it all is should help to liven it up by patronizing these businesses.
We all want a pleasant Ambleside and are eager to see it reach a vibrant potential. But with Sophia Burke and others making statements about "horrible" little shops, aren't they driving away shoppers from this area? I truly wonder if they ever have shopped in Ambleside and supported the great little stores that are there.
There is a half block that is closed due to fire - one can only hope that when this is redeveloped the merchants that were able to afford those rents will be able to come back.
The banks and credit unions that cover all corners of Ambleside should become much more community-spirited and open the window blinds that make the street blank and uninteresting - at the very least have colourful, attractive display windows, or some community artists displayed, or even photos of early Ambleside. They are making nice profits from their locations here and should give back some visual energy to the streetscape.
There is only one gas station that bothers to have attractive landscaping. How about it?
Perhaps just starting with a change in attitude, a positive beginning growing from what already exists, and supporting that, will make for a happy future for our little part of this community.
Ingunn Kemble West Vancouver
