By Cecilia Nasmith

Two councillors took a moment at this week's meeting to urge everyone to support local businesses as they deal with unprecedented challenges during the coronavirus pandemic.

Councillor Adam Bureau – who owns his own downtown business - said he had taken a tour of all the new businesses in town, giving a list that ranged from a new tattoo parlour to a new dog-grooming shop and a new pancake house.

“Despite COVID, it's amazing these businesses are coming along and are willing to take a chance on this town – I hope the local community will support them,” Bureau said.

“During this on-going pandemic, Cobourg small-business owners have shown us how resourceful, resilient and innovative they are, dealing with lessened incomes and adjusting to every change in health restrictions,” Deputy Mayor Suzanne Seguin said.

“It has been extremely difficult to survive. Paying rent and expenses while keeping staff employed has not been easy.”

Oct. 18 to 24 is Small Business Week, Seguin pointed out, “a national celebration of Canadian entrepreneurs and their contribution to Canada's economy.

“I have been an entrepreneur for 45 years, and I know how tough it is to make payroll when there's no money coming in.”

Buy an early Christmas present or enjoy a meal in a local restaurant while you still may, she suggested.

“They really deserve it, especially this time of the year.”

In addition to the beautiful decorations in downtown store windows, visitors will notice beautiful decorative lights on the street this Christmas season, thanks to a motion made at that meeting to approve a three-year contract with Blachere Illumination providing these seasonal decorations starting this month in the amount of $29,970 per year (excluding HST).

The town will recover a portion of these costs with a $16,000 annual contribution from the Downtown Business Improvement Area.