More than a year ago, several Cole Harbour business owners began brainstorming for a way to bring a sense of community to the area.
While they each enjoyed the perks associated with living in a small community, they felt that something was missing.
And so in January 2011, the Association for Business in Cole Harbour was born.
"Because (we’re on) a main drag, there is not really a feeling of community," explained Deborah Moulton McInroy, owner of Moulton Optical Ltd. and president of the new business association.
"(Cole Harbour Road’s) four lanes with a turning lane, and when you’re on your way home you can’t look around, you have to keep your eyes on the road. And when you’re on your way to work you’re in a hurry, so this way we thought (we could) introduce them to the different services available."
The group met for the first time in January and registered as an association in April.
They’ve held several networking events since then, a community treasure hunt in June and a community tree lighting in November.
"The idea is to bring (association members) into the different stores, shops, services and let them meet the staff and talk with them and that type of thing," Moulton McInroy said.
"In the event in June, there were over 100 people in my store, and I would say 80 of them had never been inside my door." The group also meets the first Wednesday of every month at the Palladium Family Restaurant.
Their efforts are beginning to bear fruit. The association has grown to more than 25 members. From Realtors to travel agents to fitness clubs to financial services companies, they represent a cross-section of the variety of businesses available in Cole Harbour.
The old adage that there’s strength in numbers is true in the case of the business association, as there’s no telling how far they can go together, Moulton McInroy said.
"It’s going to exceed our expectations, because people are finding out about it constantly," she said.
"People are coming in, seeing what the concept is, and seeing if they’re a fit."
