2020 was a volatile year for local business.  129 businesses closed the doors - shut down, lights out.  178 new businesses opened, believe it or not. 

Some local businesses thrived while many just survived. 

Tina Couzens, the hard-working owner/operator of Evans Florist is telling us her story of survival this week as she busily prepares for Valentine's Day. 

There was a time last spring when she had to lay off her staff and flower shipments slowed to a crawl.  She spent a few weeks working all alone and wondering if her business, a community pillar, would have a future after 103 years in business. 

This week, Tina is pleased to tell us her full-time and seasonal staff are all back on the job from sales to production to delivery. 

It's an encouraging story of resilience, perseverance and survival.  It's a story about supporting local business, jobs for local people and keeping the local economy moving forward. 

We truly are all in this together.