HomeMy WebLinkAboutGoderich Signal Star, 2011-09-21, Page 27ttjr al Star • Wednesday, September 21, 2011
re than half of downtown shops are back in business
Statistics suggest an average of 25 per
cent of local businesses won't recover
after major catastrophe
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ti Signal -Star
than 50 per cent of the .185 businesses located
the downtown core have reopened and or relocated
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DONNELLY (MURPHY
e are open for business
it our normal location
on The Square
Access from
Colborne Street
one 519x524-2154 Fax: 519-524-8550
The Square, Goderich, Ontario N7A 3Y7
A Tradition of Results
Please Support The
nmiller Foresters. & Benmiller Inn
Who will be hosting a
RAFFLE
For the Prevention of Child Abuse
rclay, September 24, 2011 at 2:00 p.m.
At the Gazebo at the Benmiller Inn
This Raffle is IN LIEU of the
Nineteenth Annual Duck Race
due to the Tornado
Many, many prizes, including:
*Romantic Retreat at Benmiller Inn
0 Cash *2012 Voucher Pack for Blyth Festival
$5.00 a Ticket
or tickets call Benmiller Inn 524-2191
hit Orr 524-2214 or Laurie Ginn 524-4141
se contact a Forester or Benmiller Inn if
you have a prize to donate.
Regi tntion *M33443
The AMGH Foundation
is proud to unveil its
new website
=
P 141 A L www.amithroundation.ca
1.1 I _ M You r rrsource for done online and
staj/tnp current with pnjrrts
following the community's devastating
natural disaster last month, says
Goderich Business Improvement Area
(BIA) Manager Susan Armstrong, but
there's still a long way to go for the
approximately 35 local shops that have
sustained significant structural
damage.
At the moment, there seems to be
more questions than answers, Arm-
strong said Friday regarding the loca-
tion and financial futures of businesses
located within the hardest-hit blocks
of the Courthouse Square. Even so, she
said, morale among owners and oper-
ators is consistently boosted as good-
will aid offers pour in from area law,
insurance and assessment
professionals.
"The biggest questions [facing the
significantly affected business owners
downtown.] are where they're going to
relocate, financing and insurance," she
said. "Some of our local lawyers and
insurance professionals have been
really kind so far in offering. help"
She said local businesses have run
the gamut from swift action and aid
with insurance dealings, to slow wad-
ing through red tape and rubble.
"For instance we have one business
that, two days after the tornado, had a
cheque from its insurance company in
hand, and were already in the process
of moving property out of damaged
locations," Armstrong said. "On the
other hand we've seen worst case sce
narios, where businesses don't know
who their insurance companies are
and are still waiting to get back into
their work space to get paperwork and
information
Sadly, she also reports that some
retailers are struggling with the
decision to reopen their stores at all.
Without providing specifics, she did
say there have been some tentative
decisions made by business owners on
The Square to call it quits.
"It's about 25 per cern, logistically,
that's the number of businesses that
won't recover," Armstrong said. "When
you have a catastrophe of this magni-
tude, that's historically what statistics
suggest, but for us here, it's too soon to
tell the reality
Although it might beunreasonable
to assume the downtown business
landscape will return to its former,.
there have been a number of positive
partnerships forming within down-
town entrepreneurs.
"It's interesting what we're seeing
happen among our BIA members.
Some are coming together in what
looks like 'block parties,'" she
explained.
"Members are starting to work in
blocks- for instance West Street busi-
nesses are coming together to envision
what the block could look like going
forward, and bringing interested par-
ties (insurance, engineers) together."
it makes a whole lot of sense, and
makes this process stronger," Arm-
strong added. "If they're talking to
each other in the blocks, they can help
each other, share information, and
likely:come out stronger than ever."
She even hinted that some retailers
who will likely not regain access to
their stores in the near future have dis-
cussed grouping together in alternate
spaces to offer existing and undam-
aged inventory. -
"Our downtown has absolutely come
together and are working together.
There are still scattered bits and pieces,
----TOWNSHIP OF -----
ASHnct. — COLbORtit - ww ANOSH
TOWNSHIP OF ASHFIELD - COLBORNE - WAWANOSH
TAXES DUE REMINDER
The third installment of the 2011 tax levy is due on
September 30, 2011. Tax payments must be received at
the municipal office by the due date. Tax payments can be
made in person at the municipal office, by regular mail,
or at the CIBC Goderich branch only. Interac/debit card
services are accepted at the office as well as post-dated
cheques for your convenience. Telephone/internet banking
is available through most major banking institutions.
Pre -authorized payment is available by completing a form
from the office and providing a VOID cheque. After hour
payments may be left in the letter slot located at the front door.
Taxes not paid by the due date are subject to interest of
1.25% per month. Failure to receive a tax notice does not
relieve the taxpayer from responsibility for payment nor
1the liability of penalty charges for late payment.
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LET'S MAKE
CANCER HISTORY
Fee imlimmetion *Wit asoinsi
swami et to wig
NS -OW UN •.,r...wo..c.
but for the most part, businesses are
back up and open, now we Just need
the people and shoppers to come
back."
ownt�wii
Goderich
businesses
by the
numbers:
Open at anginal location 81
Relocated 32
7enporarify closed 35
Looking for your
favorite
busine?
A listing has been created
online that detail where busi-
nesses in the Goderich, Ash-
field-Colborne-Wawanosh and
Central Huron communities
are currently operating.
Visit www.shopinhuron.com to
find current operations updates
for local. businesses, as well as
ries,