“A walk down Main Street tells its own story” read a recent Reminder letter to the editor, referring to business closures as a “realistic” indicator of Flin Flon’s future.
This wasn’t the first time I had heard such a comment, so I wanted to explore the premise. What exactly does a walk down Main Street tell us about Flin Flon’s future?
By my count, there are approximately 90 business and service providers on and just off of Main Street. And far from being hangers-on from Flin Flon’s boom days, a number of these locations have sprung up in just the last five or 10 years.
I counted just nine obvious vacancies and another few “hidden” vacancies, though I suppose you could boost that number by a handful if you include lots where long-demolished buildings once stood.
My counts are probably not exact, but I venture to say they’re reasonably close. And they show that when it comes to our commercial core, there are about eight times as many functioning businesses and services as there are empty places.
I don’t consider that to be a weak ratio. In fact, I’d wager that we have more downtown locations now than we have had at certain points in the past.
It’s also worth noting that business closures are not always a sign of economic weakness.
In smaller communities like Flin Flon, there is a very real phenomenon of business owners closing not because they are failing, but because they are ready to retire (or change careers) and can’t find anyone to sell to.
Why wouldn’t someone jump at the chance to buy a successful business? Many reasons, including the time and financial commitment.
Entrepreneurship has also diminished as society has become more risk averse. Opening a business, even a turn-key operation, is simply too daunting for many people (so hats off to those who do step up!).
Another promising sign for our business community is the huge influx of traffic coming from outlying communities. This allows Flin Flon to punch above its weight in terms of businesses and services.
So rather than pointing to the relatively few business failures (or perceived failures) on Main Street and elsewhere, why not celebrate the many success stories?
•••
Congratulations to Mr. Flintabbatey Flonatin on being named the province’s top roadside attraction by Travel Manitoba.
Flinty was in tough against icons such as Gimli’s Viking and Gladstone’s Happy Rock.
He entered the final round of voting against Glenboro’s Sara the Camel, but Sara wasn’t able to clear the final “hump” (get it… camel… hump… laugh hysterically, by gum!).
Driving past Flinty most every day or week, residents tend to forget just how unique of a mascot he is.
Time is catching up to Flinty, however, so it is time for a conversation around rejuvenating him.
Local Angle runs Fridays.
