People's actions affect every local business

Letter to the Editor,
We would like to thank you for your editorial last week discussing “out-shopping”.
I am not sure that people are aware of how much their actions affect every local business.
We think, “I am only one person,” or “it is only a bag of groceries”. What can it hurt? All of us are guilty of picking up this and that up in Winnipeg or Thunder Bay and even Fort Frances, when the product is available in our local stores, albeit sometimes at a higher price.
But if we all do this regularly, sooner or later the local business will no longer be able to pay staff, utilities, taxes, or donate to local causes. They will have no choice but to close their doors. We need to make a conscious effort to think before we purchase out of town. Cost of the item cannot always be the deciding factor in your decision. Have you factored in the time and travel costs? How about service when your purchase needs repairs, will somebody still be living here thata is qualified to repair your out of town purchase?
Here in Morson, the Morson Shopping Centre has closed its doors permanently. The nearest liquor store is in Rainy River, 60 km away. Not a good situation for an area that relies on tourism as its main revenue. Could the locals have helped keep it open if everyone purchased all their groceries there? Maybe not, as tourism has always been the way to bring in the dollars, but it might have staved off the decision for a while.
I would just reiterate, you reap what you sow. Don’t complain when another business must close its doors if you have helped to contribute to that closing.
Thank you for the opportunity to express an opinion.
–Laurie Pentney,
Morson, Ont.