For years there have been articles in The Beachcomber about how we should shop locally and keep our money circulating on the island and about how we need businesses that will appeal to off-island folks so they will come here to spend their money. The Island Quilter is just such a business. Now because of the sale of the building in which it is housed, it may be forced to move off-island or perhaps even go out of business completely.

I do not know the details of the case, but if Paul and Anja knew that the building was for sale, there should have been a clause in their lease giving them the right of first refusal. If they were not in a financial position to buy the building themselves, given enough advance notice, they could have reached out to their many island supporters for help. For example, the Quilt Guild and Fiber Arts could have formed a corporation and started a fundraising campaign to buy the building, which would then be owned by the community rather than by an individual. As a community asset, it could then be leased to the business that would bring the most benefit to our community, i.e.,  Island Quilter.

Alas, it now appears to be a done deal, and we are facing the loss of this island treasure. If they have not already found another location off-island, I would urge Paul and Anja to reconsider moving to the vacant Nirvana space, even though it is not ideal and might mean scaling back the business a little, at least as a temporary stop gap. On this island, businesses come and go, and there is always the possibility that another more suitable storefront might come up for sale in the future.

— Sharon Hines-Pinion