Ella's Keeping Company owner Lisa Vincent, centre, is joined by staff members Nancy Cloutier, left, and Mellissa Maszarics. (Sherry Haaima photo)
American President Donald Trump’s back-and-forth tariff threats and suggestions that Canada become the 51st state have sparked a wave of reaction across our country.
From clearly marked Canadian products in the grocery stores to Canada flags lining the main street far in advance of July 1, national pride is alive and well in the Town of Renfrew.
For one downtown business owner, the decision to cease stocking U.S. products was a simple one.
Lisa Vincent has been running her Raglan Street store since 1999 and says the tariff threats and the Elbows Up movement inspired her to take a good look at what was on shelves at Ella’s Keeping Company, a home decor, giftware and ladies fashion shop.
Canada’s people are warm, friendly and smart, said Vincent, and living here offers many things you can’t get anywhere else. Ridding the store of U.S. products wasn’t a difficult decision, she said.
The move was in keeping with the direction her store had been going.
Vincent said she does understand that there is so much unification between Canada and the U.S. that for some businesses separating the two would be much more difficult.
She said in the Ottawa Valley there has always been a great sense of community, which has just been magnified in the past number of weeks.
And what do customers think of the move?
Find Ella’s Keeping Company at 187 Raglan St. South, in Renfrew. More information can be found on the website.
(Written by Sherry Haaima)