Canadian Chamber of Commerce, in Partnership with the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, Call for a National Day of Supporting Small Business

· by Whitney Eames

March 8, 2018, Hamilton, ON – In the aftermath of the attacks on Locke Street small businesses in Hamilton, Ontario, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, is calling on all Chamber’s to participate in Love Locke Day on Saturday March 10th. While Hamiltonians descend on Locke St. to show their support for affected businesses, the Canadian Chamber asks that chambers across the country call on members to support their own local small businesses in solidarity.

Additionally, the first 250 customers at Bitten and Donut Monster, two of the businesses damaged in Saturday’s attacks, will receive the first #LoveLocke whoopie pie or first “Make Lemonade” donut, courtesy of the Chamber network. In face of adversity, both of these small businesses have prioritized giving back to their community. Proceeds of the whoopie pies will benefit Neighbour to Neighbour, a multi-service organization focused on poverty prevention, and the Hamilton-Burlington SPCA. The proceeds of the lemon donut will benefit Indwell affordable housing.

“This past weekend, senseless acts from irrational people brought out the best of Hamilton. And expressions of support for Locke Street businesses came from across the country”, explains Keanin Loomis, President and CEO of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, “On Saturday, March 10th, we invite Hamiltonians to join us and the rest of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce network to demonstrate just how much they #LoveLockeStreet.”

“This is an opportunity for the chamber network to encourage their community to shop local this Saturday as a show of support for those businesses that were affected by this unprovoked and unjustified attack last weekend in Hamilton. Small businesses are the backbone of our communities – they support hockey teams, local fundraisers and employees and their families. It’s our turn to show them our support”, said the Hon. Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

In the evening of Saturday March 3, 2018, approximately 30 masked individuals descended down Locke Street, an area lined with independent restaurants and merchants in Hamilton, carrying a banner that said, “We Are The Ungovernables,” and throwing fireworks, eggs and bricks at businesses, resulting in approximately $100,000 of damage.

Police are continuing their investigation and asking for the public’s assistance. For anyone who has information to contact Det. Jamie Simpson at (905) 546-3816. To provide information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit your anonymous tips online.