The Temple Food Store would like to express how truly grateful we are to be a part of such an amazing community here in Parksville.
Beginning in April, there has been ongoing construction outside our store on the corner of Highway 19A and Bay Avenue. It is expected to continue for another four months until October, and access to our store has been limited and blocked off. Our store has undoubtedly taken a bad hit, and we have seen our business reduced to half.
We did not know how we were going to make it through these difficult times, but our community gave us hope. On June 26, residents of Parksville organized and promoted a “cash mob” event at our store to help generate traffic. Free coffee was served as customers browsed our store. They even brought in someone dressed in a costume to attract even more customers. Because of these wonderful people, the cash mob was a success, and we got the chance to see not only our regulars and friends, but also some new faces, young and old, coming into the store to support us in our time of need.
We came to Canada over 13 years ago and we have never been more moved by anything before. The act of kindness that Parksville’s small-yet-powerful community has shown us was overwhelming and brought tears of joy to our eyes. This is the essence of what makes a strong community. We want to thank each and every person that has ever come in to our store. To our dedicated customers, who came into the store no matter how inconvenient it was — we thank you. Special thanks go out to Bill McKinney, Kim Burden and the man dressed in the fantastic costume for helping make June 26 a memorable night and something we will never forget. Before we had little hope, but we think we can get through this together now. Thank you.
Taeguen and Okhee Park
Parksville