Gordon, if I may, that lovely vibe is down to more than a Flower Market. Were it not for the traders, their staff, their suppliers, their landlords and their creditors (to name just a few) not coming together to do whatever is necessary to keep businesses open in the past year there would be no vibe. Many have been at it the entire year, fighting the battle day in day out, not just the first Sunday of the month.From the cleaners trundling from TG Station to clean the banks in the dark of night, to the street cleaners, to the porters and servers and cooks, the bartenders, the newly-opened pubs, those selling lamps, toasters, fashion, furniture, food, fish, meat, fruit and veg, coffee, art, books, estate agents, builders, the dry cleaners, nail salons, hair salons, spas, the dentists and vets - and anyone and everyone behind the scenes of every single establishment that remained open or partially open and manoeuvred at every turn - we are indebted to their commitment to persevere and somehow turn the lights on every single day in the past year. They have kept people on the streets, in jobs, in homes and hopefully in good health. All of these people have supported this community. You'll note many corporate chains have not. Many business owners have done so at enormous personal cost. And yet they are still here. They are your vibe, too.To the businesses we lost, we salute you and thank you.To the businesses still yet to re-open, we wish you the best of luck.
David Lesniak ● 2003d