MISSION, B.C. (NEWS 1130) – All those Black Friday deals and holiday packages are piling up on doorsteps and tempting thieves, but a local candy shop is trying to thwart porch pirates with a generous offer.
Sean Berry and his wife run the Candy Shack in downtown Mission and, after hearing about package theft worries from customers and employees, he thought he would offer up his store as a free, secure delivery point.
“If anyone would like to use our address for the holidays — local Mission people — we would be glad to receive their packages because our candy store is open seven days a week,” Berry tells NEWS 1130.
“On a whim, I put it out on my Facebook page for the Candy Shack, and here we are,” he chuckles.
It turns out people love the idea — much more than Berry anticipated — with his post generating a whole lot of interest.
“I have to admit, I’m a little terrified. I didn’t realize there was this much of a need, but we are a customer-based business and I will certainly stick to my word and receive whatever comes our way.”
So far, Berry’s offer has generated more Facebook likes than actual packages piling up in his store, but he’s expecting that to change as Christmas creeps closer.
“There is not one negative comment. Everyone is very excited and very happy,” he says. “I’m not quite sure what we are going to do if we are inundated, but I’ve already had people offering to help us, volunteering their time to help organize things. We have a great following, this is an awesome community.”
And Berry may try to harness some of that holiday spirit.
“We’ll maybe take food by donation to help the food bank. We’re not sure, but if we can use this to better our community — because we are a small rural community — then I think that would benefit everybody,” he says. “It’s not about money, it’s about community.”
If the Candy Shack offer turns out to be as popular as Berry anticipates, he is considering continuing the parcel drop service, for free, into the new year.