Creemore business community is healthy, optimistic

Say what you will about the village green project proposed by the Creemore Community Foundation but we must be careful not to drag the village’s business community through the mud during the debate.
All this talk of whether or not the TD Bank building should be torn down has led people to ask, is it needed as commercial space? Some people think the building is ugly and should be pulled from the streetscape, like a rotten tooth. People who do not see the value in the building tend to believe that it is of no value to anyone and that no one finds it aesthetically pleasing. One of the arguments has been that Creemore is not in need of additional commercial space and that the health of local businesses is failing. They point to businesses being for sale, changing hands and vacancies as support for this thesis.
We argue that this is untrue and diminishes the stability of the local business community.
In January, as part of the community consultation process for the village green, the Creemore BIA – Business Improvement Area – surveyed 21 businesses. The survey revealed that on average the businesses had been operating for 12 years and had been in the same location for eight years. There are businesses that are new and those that are very long-term. Almost everyone said their business has improved over the years (14 responded improved or improved dramatically) and almost everyone said they are feeling optimistic about their business going into 2020 (15 responded they are optimistic/energized).
We have talked to many of the people who have sold their businesses and recently, most people have wanted to retire. In many cases we have been delighted to see new, energetic people taking over with the desire to carry on with an existing successful venture and immerse themselves in this community.
As for vacancies, there are only a couple of spots in town that are available and we have heard time and time again that there is a need for smaller workspaces where people can set up a small office.
We ask that during a conversation about whether or not the bank should be torn down, that the health of the business community be more accurately represented.
Yes, the bank closed because according to TD Bank’s corporate standards, it was underutilized. But honestly, the banks have been encouraging us to bank online and not use branches so it is inevitable that branches close over time.
As a small business community we have a different standard for success – we want to work close to home, provide stable employment and valuable services while contributing to a community experience for locals and visitors. We may not be making profits that would please the shareholders but we do have stability. As the survey says, turnover is quite low and people are feeling optimistic about the future.