The man who owns the business that opened Wednesday in the midst of pandemic lockdown restrictions says his plans haven’t changed.
After being ticketed $750 shortly after opening, Park Provisioners Barber shop and Haberdashery owner Kyle Thomson says he’ll be opening up shop again Thursday.
Shortly after he opened, Belleville Police and staff from Hastings Prince Edward Public Health showed up to write him a ticket. Thomson says he received enough gratuities from supporting members of the public during his first day back in business that he’d be able to pay the $750 ticket over multiple times.
According to Thomson, people came in from Stirling, Campbellford and even as far as Kingston to show their support for what he says he did to show small business owners they can do the same.
“They don’t need to be worried about that. The public’s not gonna shame them for that. The public’s gonna support them for wanting to make a difference.”
Thomson says he wouldn’t be surprised if the health unit staff and police are back, but he also says that his interactions with them have been cordial and that he understands that they, just like him, have a job to do and just want to provide for their families.
Another topic Thomson stressed is wanting transparency from the government on the situation.
“You know, I think people need to reevaluate what’s going on or at least be brave enough to stand up and demand that the government show us what is going on.”
Thomson says Park Provisioners Barber Shop and Haberdashery will be open for business moving forward.
