LETTER

LETTRE

What happened to Mulligan’s?

 

For as long as I can remember I’ve been a patron of Cafe Mulligan (previously Mocha Loca, for long-time residents). From coffee dates to coffee meetings, the excellent service always matched the excellent coffee. Mulligan’s also served for myself at least, as an introduction to Aylmer for folks who didn’t know the community yet; I took pride in that and in them. Sadly, that pride, joy and those memories have all but evaporated in the last few weeks. I joined others in shock and disbelief to find out that our beloved local institution did not share the values and morals that I know so many others here hold dear.     First, we learned that they had taken the business decision not to follow local public health  measures -- the basics, like wearing a mask. Shortly after, we learned they were firmly in support of the occupation of downtown Ottawa.  We learned this long after we found out that the ‘demonstrations’ had little to do with vaccines or public health measures.
    I’ve been reflecting on this event and on cancel culture lately, and, while I can’t speak for others; I prefer to describe my decision to no longer support this, and other businesses who support values that I do not share, as ‘informed capitalism’. I am as frustrated as everyone else in how long this pandemic has gone on, and I also recognize that there’s not much we can do to end it apart from following the advice to get a vaccine and wear a mask.
Matthew Larventz
Aylmer