A call to support a business and a community

 

I’ve bumped my planned post for today because sometimes things won’t wait.

This is an ask to support a business, which is part of a great community. And if you wanted to go all out, head to this town and support more businesses there.

The callout came from Louise at Brassica Mercantile in Beaminster. I love this shop, and I love their restaurant too. It was one of my best meals of 2016 and came during a week when I completely fell in love with Beaminster. This is a proper community, with so much going on for a place of this size.

 

 

It appeals to me because generally, it’s a place made up of independent businesses (I can only think of the banks and the Co-Op that are not independent). These are the kinds of places I love, which is part of why I focus on smaller businesses.

So imagine if you wake up to find some selfish jerks have done damage, that ripples out beyond the physical damage. Pulling a cashpoint out of the wall, of a listed building, with a stolen tractor, while someone was in the apartment above, is damaging beyond belief.

It damaged someone’s home and a business in that building. If you’re in the market for an incredible bespoke kitchen or furniture, then please think about supporting Chris Chapman Bespoke Kitchens and Furniture. But it also impacted Brassica Mercantile across the street. Hard to get people in the shop when there are metal barriers in front of your shop.

The town does have parking still and a contra flow to keep traffic moving. You could go have a fabulous time in Beaminster, from lunch at the restaurant to shopping at Brassica Mercantile and more. You could make it a day out, or a detour if you’re going to the coast.

Sadly, if you’re like me, and not (currently) exactly close to Beaminster, then you can help by shopping online. Brassica Mercantile has a gorgeous website and some fabulous things. I’ve got my eye on some beautiful votive candle holders and the cook’s candle.

I have no vested interest in Brassica Mercantile, just a love of people and businesses doing great stuff, and also communities that pull together. I know this might not be your community, or very near to you. But this could have happened to any business, anywhere. If you’re a small business owner, then you’d hope that if this happened to you, then you’d hope you could call on people to support.

 

Why the internet benefits us all

The benefit of the web is that we can all be part of a community no matter where we are.  Even if you chose not to shop at Brassica Mercantile at the moment, then some support wouldn’t go amiss. But hard cash would be even better.