03/03/2026
It’s hard to put into words what today feels like.
As a small business owner for the past 15 years — and having grown up with parents who have owned and lovingly restored a downtown building for almost 50 years — these streets are deeply personal to us. We have watched these streets grow, shift, thrive, and endure recession and renewal. We’ve seen storefronts open with big dreams, weather economic downturns that tested every ounce of resilience, and celebrate the revitalization that always seemed to follow. Through it all, our downtown has been more than just buildings — it has been people, memories, and heart.
The loss from this fire is devastating. Watching fellow local businesses in one of our cherished heritage buildings burn is something we never imagined we would witness. That building wasn’t just brick and mortar. It was part of our town’s story — a piece of our shared history standing proudly on the street for generations.
I will always remember taking my kids to Ayr Village Pizza, grabbing a slice, and heading to the park to eat together on a sunny afternoon — making sure we saved room for soft serve after. Those simple moments are the ones that become traditions before you even realize it. Stopping in for a chai tea latte at Hitched Coffee or cooling off with a lavender lemonade in the summer — these are the little rituals that shape small-town life.
In a small town, when one of us hurts, we all feel it. We know firsthand the courage it takes to unlock your doors every morning, especially during uncertain times. To see years of hard work and history lost to a fire in a matter of hours is heartbreaking beyond words.
But if there’s one thing five decades in this downtown has taught us, it’s this: small towns are resilient. We rebuild. We rally. We show up for one another. We’ve seen downturns, closures, and recessions, and each time this community has found its footing again — together.
To our fellow business owners, building owners, tenants and friends affected by this loss, please know you are not alone. This downtown is stronger because of the people in it. And while today we grieve what was lost, we also hold tight to the memories you helped make within those walls — and please believe that our community will help you rise, support you, and restore, just as it always has.
With heavy hearts,
Shirley
Your neighbour in business ❤️
