This is a copy of our letter placed in the March 2001 edition of The Bruce Peninsula Press
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An
Open Letter to the National Park
It has
come to our attention that you are planning to locate a retail outlet selling
books, related theme materials and souvenirs in the new visitor’s center.
This comes as quite a surprise and a disappointment to us.
We too
are looking forward to the opening of the new visitor center, as it will no
doubt be a great attraction to the area. Not
only will it enhance the visitor’s visit to our two beautiful National Parks
but we have always hoped that it will provide an economic boost to the
businesses in Tobermory, particularly in the off-season.
Upon
hearing that you will open a store in the center you have taken some of the wind
out of our sales (not a spelling mistake).
Just a
few years ago it was proposed that the Friends of Fathom Five open a small
retail outlet at the Cyprus Lake campground.
That was met with overwhelming opposition from the business community,
you listened, and the idea was quickly dropped.
Has something changed since then?
Every dollar spent in a store located in the visitor’s center is a dollar that will not be spent in the village, and assuming that your store will be staffed by volunteers, that will translate directly into job loses for the community.
We are not talking an insignificant amount here. By your own projections the visitor center retail outlet will bring in $100,000. And that is at the initial size of 35 square meters, with room for future expansion!
We
suggest that you take that space which is now designated for retail, and use it
instead for informative displays or educational resources.
That is your mandate. Leave
the retail to the merchants of Tobermory who depend on their stores for a
living.
We ask
you to seriously reconsider this part of your plan.
Sincerely,
Rick and
Jack Salen
The Blue Heron Co.
Tobermory