Dear Editor:
At Christmas, many people reflect nostalgically on the good old days when the North Shore had more sense of community, and everyone knew their neighbours. After an experience this week, I believe supporting North Shore owner-managed businesses is one of the best ways to preserve that neighbourhood spirit and community.
My car broke down at Lonsdale Quay in the middle of an unusually busy day. I called our longtime mechanic, Rod Teegan, owner of Beetle Spa for help. He answered the phone himself (I didn’t have to press “1” for service!), greeted me warmly by name, drove to the Quay, got in my car, diagnosed the problem, organized a tow and had the car fixed and ready by the end of the day, all for less than the cost of my daughter’s Secret Santa gift exchange at school.
If the same people who reminisce about the good old days of a community-minded North Shore chose to support local North Shore owner-managed businesses a little more, and anonymous corporate giants a little less, I think we would make big strides in preserving the sense of community spirit on the North Shore.
Wendy Royle
North Vancouver
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