A New Westminster lawyer is forgoing a summer getaway as part of a buy-local campaign.
After 30 years in Port Coquitlam, Dale Darychuk recently relocated his law firm to a heritage building in downtown New Westminster so he could walk to work. Starting this month, he’s going a step further by embarking on a quest to shop local for a year.
“My program for the next year is to buy all of my services and all my goods in New Westminster, and to blog and tell people about that, and get other people, hopefully, interested in committing to doing that as well,” he said. “I already have my doctor, my dentist and my massage therapist, etc. here, but I will be buying all my food, all my recreation and entertainment here in New Westminster.”
Having lived in New West since 1987, Darychuk is already familiar with many local businesses, but he’s excited about the prospect of discovering new places to shop and do business.
“I hope it won’t be too challenging – I hope it will be illuminating and exciting,” he said. “I really think New Westminster deserves that attention. I want to favour the businesses that are here already, but also encourage others to come here.”
Darychuk is launching his #IBuyNewWest campaign on June 24 at the grand opening of his new law office in the Hart Block. During the next year he’ll be blogging about his experience and highlighting some local businesses at www.ibuynewwest.com and connecting with the community via Facebook and Twitter.
“I’d like to spread the word about people I think are doing good jobs here,” he said. “I am not a critic. I want to be a bit of a booster for the people who are here.”
In addition to highlighting local offerings, Darychuk wants to explore businesses not offered in New West that residents would like to see set up in the city. The one thing Darychuk would like to see open in the city is a nice wine bar.
“I am looking forward to exploring what’s out there and talking about it and finding out from other people as well,” he said.
When relocating his law practice to New Westminster, Darychuk used local businesses to move and set up his new office, right down to the painting on his wall by local artist Susan Tamkin – which happens to be of the sunflowers on the boulevard in front of his house. You can’t get much closer to home than that.
Darychuk’s wife will be visiting their daughters and vacationing in Ontario’s cottage country this summer, but he’ll be having a staycation right here in the Royal City.
“I think I’ll take up fishing again,” he said. “I see lots of people fishing on the river. That used to be a favourite recreation of mine.”
Darychuk is getting mixed reactions from people when he mentions his #IBuyNewWest campaign.
“I go to fitness classes – there’s a lady there who says, ‘That’s fantastic.’ I met a lawyer who was doing mediation with me from Kelowna – he says, ‘You won’t be spending much money.’ I don’t think he knows New West at all. Most people are encouraging. The seniors I meet say ‘we do that anyways.’ It’s a real range,” he said.
“I want to explore New West and find out these places that sell things I need. I’m looking for a furnace now, so I’m looking for a local supplier. That’s a major purchase but I want to stick to my guns, and if at all possible purchase it in New West.
Follow Dale Darychuk’s year of shopping locally online at www.ibuynewwest.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ibuynewwest, or Twitter at @IBuyNewWest.
