A small family-owned pet food store in Petrolia has taken to social media after notices were issued to three Petrolia Line businesses to vacate their rental spaces by the end of the month to make way for a franchise store.
Joshua McDonald posted a video to Facebook on March 31, three days after his family's store -- the Cash & Carry Feed Bin at 4349 Petrolia Line -- received a notice that its lease would be terminated on April 30.
He told Sarnia News Today his family was shocked, and later confirmed with their landlord the space would be occupied by Pet Valu.
McDonald said he wanted to post the video for two reasons: to spread awareness and hopefully, help the family business.
"Social media kind of gives everyone an equal playing field in terms of sharing their message and getting the word out. We wanted to spread awareness to the community so there wasn't a misconception that we just sold to Pet Valu," he said. "I was pretty upset when I found out it was going to be a Pet Valu franchise so I basically went straight to my laptop and started writing a script, and that was sort of my way of channeling my anger in a healthy way into something that would hopefully produce some results and help keep the business alive."
As of Thursday afternoon, the video had been viewed over 140,000 times and received over 1,200 shares, much more than McDonald had hoped for.
"Honestly, our whole family has just been so grateful for all of the support. We're still kind of blown away and processing it all," he said. "Having all of the messages swarming in and people giving us support, it gives us that strength to keep going and keep pushing to make this work because clearly, our community has our back."
An edit to the Facebook video clarified its purpose is to shine a light on what can happen to small businesses "as a result of corporate greed."
"That said, we ask that you don't paint every Pet Valu franchise with the same brush," read McDonald's Facebook post. "Every business has a different story and from what we're told, this specific location was the result of Pet Valu corporate really pushing to take on the Petrolia market."
McDonald said the family business started with the Brigden Feed Mill about 50 years ago, and expanded when his late grandfather opened the Cash & Carry Feed Bin just over 30 years ago.
Now, with fewer than 30 days to decide their next move, McDonald said his father and grandmother are scrambling to find a new location for the store.
"Time is of the essence, but also, they need at least 2,000 square feet, and they need parking space for delivery trucks to be able to pull in and out," he said.
McDonald said it's important to him and his family to keep his grandfather's legacy alive.
In the past, McDonald said the business had multi-year leases but due to a recent change in landlords, the agreement was kept month-to-month. Nevertheless, McDonald said they were hoping for more of a "heads up" regarding the termination.
Lease terminations for two other tenants have also been confirmed.
Digital Ink Graphics & Printing, located at 4351 Petrolia Line, posted to Facebook and shared McDonald's video.
"To say the last few days have been a whirlwind would be a complete understatement. My business is one of the businesses affected by this decision and I am left scrambling to find a new home for Digital Ink," read the post.
Petrolia Foot Clinic, at 4347 Petrolia Line, confirmed with Sarnia News Today it received a notice.
"Yes, we were also affected by the eviction with a 30-day eviction notice given and a Pet Valu will be occupying the [three] existing units," read an emailed statement. "I am currently searching for office space but 30 days is an unrealistic time frame to relocate a medical practice."
According to Pet Valu's website, one of the franchise opportunities listed for Ontario is at 4351 Petrolia Line.
McDonald said he emailed Pet Valu on April 1 to voice his frustrations and ask that they reconsider the move.
Guardian Real Estate Management Inc. responded to an email from Sarnia News Today and said the company and the landlord sympathize with the challenges faced by the tenants.
"The landlord has provided each of the tenants with proper notice and has complied with all legal requirements," read the emailed statement. "Guardian and the landlord sincerely wish these tenants all the best in the future."
Sarnia News Today made multiple attempts to connect with Pet Valu but did not receive a response by the time of publication.