I wanted to share this message circulating in the community about the closure of the Mercantile, inviting everyone to show kindness and solidarity.
Faithful to the heart of the Village
For over forty years, the “Hob Nob” has been part of our family. As owners, we have always been committed to ensuring that it remains a vibrant and open space, serving the community. Our goal is for this building, central to the life of North Hatley, to contribute to the community’s vitality as a welcoming place for meetings, exchanges, and entertainment.
It was with great sadness that we learned of the closure of Café Massawippi Mercantile (Merc), a tenant of our building since 2020. We wish to express our gratitude to all those who, directly or indirectly, have contributed to the life of this place over the years: loyal customers, employees, suppliers, artists, and others.
We would like to pay special tribute to the original Merc team, three entrepreneurial partners, who had the vision and drive to embark on a wonderful project in which we participated. Through their commitment and presence, they breathed new life into the place, bringing new life and energy to the location, as well as to the entire village center. Their initiative created a buzz, attracting new faces and revitalizing the community spirit that has defined the past few years.
When the lease was renewed, only one partner from the original team remained, which inevitably changed the dynamics of the place. In a village like ours, presence, involvement, and a daily entrepreneurial spirit are essential factors for the success of a local business.
For nearly two years, we have demonstrated flexibility in supporting the Merc: we adjusted the rent according to seasonal realities and offered to redevelop the space by dividing it up to lighten the load and better accommodate waterfront activities. The Merc’s management chose to maintain occupancy of the entire space despite these challenges. We reiterate these facts by affirming that our sole objective has always been to encourage the vitality of the place in the collective interest.
Today, our commitment remains unwavering. We are determined to contribute to the vitality of North Hatley. The Hob Nob will continue to serve the community and remain an active place, with the aim of making it a space focused on the future of the village. We hope to see the emergence of a present, involved and entrepreneurial group, aware of the importance of local roots and human proximity in the success of a business in a small community. Our family remains attentive to the community, accessible, open to dialogue, and above all faithful to the heart of the Village.
Marie C Johnson et Marie-Louise Parent
Photo credit : https://www.massawippimercantile.com/
