Small business rediscovered
It is understandable that the owner of a Umina hardware store shows angst that Bunnings will force small businesses to fold ("What protection is there for small businesses" Peninsula News, July 25).
But will it?
In America, Starbucks had a national plan to locate their business next to existing cafes.
Many sold up and ran.
Others stayed put and found Starbucks actually bought more customers to the area and many flowed into the small cafes and rediscovered that small businesses do indeed offer that personal service that is their forte.
If anything, the main problem will be increasing traffic congestion as there is such an upbeat buzz about Umina these days.
It was only a few years ago that the common saying was "nothing ever happens in Umina".
Email, 26 Jul 2011
Pat Brophy, Umina