On November 8, 2021, Richard Stewart, the mayor of Coquitlam, made his first outside visit to a company since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The mayor visited King's Organic Factory, a local business that produces a variety of organic and natural food products.
The mayor was greeted by the owner of the company, Ms. King, and given a tour of the facility. Ms. King showed the mayor the various stages of production, from the sourcing of ingredients to the packaging of the finished products. The mayor was particularly impressed by the company's commitment to using all natural and organic ingredients and their strict adherence to food safety regulations.
During the tour, the mayor had the opportunity to meet some of the employees at the factory. He was struck by the dedication and hard work of the team, many of whom have been with the company for several years. The mayor praised the company for creating good jobs and contributing to the local economy.
After the tour, the mayor and Ms. King sat down for a discussion about the challenges and opportunities facing small businesses in Coquitlam. Ms. King shared her experiences of running a small business during the pandemic, including the difficulties of finding enough staff and the challenges of adapting to changing customer demand.
The mayor listened intently and promised to do everything in his power to support small businesses in the community. He acknowledged the important role that small businesses play in the local economy and promised to work with the city council to find ways to help them succeed. The mayor left the factory feeling inspired by the hard work and dedication of the employees at King's Organic Factory, and grateful for the opportunity to learn more about the inner workings of a small business.