Merchant Events and Announcements

The HMA arranges, and encourages you to arrange, networking opportunities, workshops and events for Heights merchants. As a Heights merchant, you are already a part of our organization - be sure to take advantage of the opportunities this entails. Developing relationships with other businesses and commercial services in the Heights will result in better business for you.

HMA Annual General Meeting (June 27, 2007)

This year's AGM was held at Confederation Community Centre and featured guest speaker Ian Tait of 2010 Legacies Now. The meeting was punctuated by some terrific raffle draws and door prizes featuring contributions from various Heights merchants. In the President's Report, the president and committee chairs discussed recent community events, as well as sustainability and improvement in the Heights. Topics included: Hats Off Day, Giro di Burnaby, Hallowe'en on the Heights and Light Up the Heights events, East of Willingdon Revitalization, HOV Lane Removal efforts and the Heights re-branding. They also summarized the Name the Bee contest, the 2007 Heights Business Directory and the Heights Physical Improvement Initiatives.

Ian Tait, veteran of the Olympic Bid Committee, described how to best take advantage of the upcoming games and their multiple affiliated events (for relevant links click here). Well researched and tailored to the Heights district, the presentation described various strategies that could be incorporated into existing or future business plans. The speech definitely captured the sense of the AGM: how to invigorate, promote and sustain the unique business features of Burnaby Heights.

Merchant Milestones and Longstanding Businesses in the Heights

This year has brought several milestones for the merchants of the Heights. Many of our merchants or their business have been not only operating, but successful, for many years. This is an amazing accomplishment and the Heights Merchant Association offers its congratulations, and best wishes for continued success, to the following businesses:

• Charlton Insurance has been providing peace of mind for 75 years.
  
• Robertson Home Hardware, run by Larry and Wendy French for 30 years, is 75.
• Valley Bakery, a family business now run by Jack Kuyer, celebrates 50 years.
• Helen's Children's Wear, run by Helen Arnold, was a lower mainland landmark for 58 years. Helen has now retired and we wish her the best of luck for the future!

Safety and Security Workshops (Spring, 2007)

In February and March of 2007, the HMA collaborated with the Hastings Community Policing Office (CPO) to host two workshops addressing crime and security in the Heights. The workshops facilitated open dialogue between merchants and the RCMP and clarified RCMP procedures and internal structure as well as types, causes and prevention of crime.

Corporal Perry Wilson emphasized vigilance in understanding risks and reporting incidents. To this end, he encouraged "target hardening" and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) initiatives that focus on creating a store layout that encourages buying and discourages stealing. The CPO strives to open "the lines of communication" and make merchants comfortable utilizing 911 and CPO resources.

The response to these workshops was positive. Sam Crowe from The Valley Bakery, one of 13 merchant participants, agreed that communication is paramount and hopes to see an even better turnout at future meetings. She encouraged merchants who experience crime to report it to the CPO and other shopkeepers as soon as possible: "word of mouth is the best way to prevent crime, she noted. Both Corporal Wilson and Sam agree that Heights is a very close-knit community and these relationships are the greatest attribute the Heights merchants have in combating crime.

For more collaborations of this type, please keep an eye on HMA publications or contact the Hastings CPO at 604 656 3250.

Heights Merchants Networking

For the next networking opportunity, or more information on any of these events, keep an eye on this and other local publications, or Contact the HMA.