Your Victoria Day shopping plans just changed, right?
Good morning from the Hammer — steel town, art town, your town. Don't look away.
So, Victoria Day. Long weekend. You know the drill, right? Fireworks down by the Bayfront, maybe a cookout in Gage Park if the weather holds up. But here’s the thing that really got my goat this morning: the province is letting more stores open on Victoria Day. Remember back in February when Ford was talking about how many calls he got from people wanting to hit the malls? Like, seriously? People are calling the Premier to complain about malls being closed on a holiday? My *baba* would just say, "Idi, radi nešto!" Go, do something!
### What This Means for Hamilton
Listen, I’m from the Mountain, and I get that things are changing. Hamilton’s not the sleepy steel town it used to be. But this feels like another step towards making every day just another shopping day, stripping away what makes holidays feel, well, *different*. What's the point of a long weekend if you're just going to spend it pushing through crowds at Lime Ridge Mall or trying to find parking on Upper James?
* More traffic on the Jolley Cut and Claremont Access. * Another reason to feel like every day is a weekday. * Less time for actual family and friends.
It’s not just about the stores; it’s about the vibe, right? We’re a city that works hard. We deserve our downtime. Victoria Day should be about enjoying the escarpment trails, grabbing some ćevapi on Barton Street, or hitting up the farmers market. Not running errands like it's a Tuesday. It’s a bad idea for a city that prides itself on community, not just commerce. This feels like another piece of our local culture, chipped away.
Good morning from the Hammer — steel town, art town, your town. Don't look away.
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