Losing one of its biggest retail stores isn’t ideal but it doesn’t change the message in Charlottetown, says Mayor Clifford Lee.
Sears had its final day for merchandise sales last Monday and will remain open until Jan. 21 for fixture sales.
At council’s monthly meeting on Monday, Coun. Mitchell Tweel suggested the city should be proactive on the retail front and chase big names such as The Bay or Costco.
However, Lee says the city will continue to do what it has always done, promote itself as a great place to do business.
“Sears leaving Charlottetown is not good news for Charlottetown, but let’s put it into perspective,’’ Clifford Lee said Wednesday. “Sears is (closing), Sears no longer exists. The fact that Sears is no longer in Charlottetown doesn’t mean the city does anything different now. We’ve always been out there in the marketplace promoting Charlottetown as a place to do business.’’
Lee points directly to Ron Atkinson, the city’s economic development officer.
“He works with a lot of organizations (including) newcomers organizations who, as we know have a lot of money to invest in our community.’’
There already appears to be good news on the new business front.
Lee said he received an email Wednesday morning from “an individual’’ interested in trying to build a food facility that measures 8,000 to 10,000 square feet and was asking for help in finding a location. Lee said the facility would create up to 100 jobs over the next five years. The mayor would not release any more details.
He did say that the email is a sign that the city’s work in attracting business is paying off.
“Ron Atkinson . . . works tremendously hard with Finance P.E.I., the province of P.E.I. (and) other economic development organizations in Atlantic Canada. He’s out there promoting Charlottetown as a place to do business and, quite frankly, I can’t think of a better face I would want out there selling the city of Charlottetown than Ron.’’
