I am dismayed by the comments of Oura Giakoumakis, the chair of the Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce that “we’re not able to compete with other communities when they have more well known restaurants people want to dine at.” (QB’s chain ban is a rumour,” The NEWS, Dec 8).
People don’t want to eat in restaurants because they’re “well known.” They want to eat in restaurants that provide good food and good service at a reasonable price. The first rule of marketing is to differentiate your product or service.
So, why on earth would Qualicum Beach want to look like and offer the same things that so many other cookie-cutter communities do? Our unique beauty and charm is precisely why Qualicum Beach receives such favourable responses from visitors.
Qualicum Beach does have some very good eateries which we frequent regularly, but too many eateries here offer greasy, diabetes-inducing old-style food.
Our family avoids these and chain restaurants and instead patronizes local cafés and restaurants who pay attention to quality. Why? Because the food tastes better, it is healthier and so you get more bang for the buck.
If Giakoumakis isn’t able to attract enough people to her restaurant, perhaps she should open a children’s clothing store since she believes the market for children’s ballet tights and running shoes is under-served in Qualicum Beach.
Or she should move to somewhere (Duncan, Nanaimo?) where the blight of fast food and foreign-owned chain stores is pervasive.
Our family appreciates Qualicum Beach because it offers quality food, products and services, which add up to a quality life. And we enjoy supporting quality local businesses.
Joan SampsonQualicum Beach