Hospitality no sweat for vendor
12 September, 2003
Thanks to the generosity of a local merchant, an American cruise ship passenger is singing the city's praises.
Theresa Hart, of New Jersey, made a visit to Saint John aboard the Carnival Victory last month. While browsing at the Dockside Market, she bought a pair of sweatshirts to give to her mother and sister-in-law as gifts. Unfortunately, before going back to the ship, she inadvertently misplaced them.
Upon her return home, she contacted Paula Small, communications officer at the Saint John Port Authority, through the organization's Web site.
After some digging, Ms. Small identified the sweatshirt vendor as Cathy Hayward of Hayward and Warwick.
Upon hearing the story, Ms. Hayward sent Ms. Hart replacement sweaters free of charge.
"I can't tell you how much it means to us that you all took the time and great care to replace them," Ms. Hart wrote in an e-mail to Ms. Hayward.
"When I speak to anyone I'll always tell them if they ever have the opportunity to visit your wonderful city they should without a doubt."
For her part, Ms. Hayward downplayed her benevolence.
"If a customer came to me and had misplaced something, I would have done it for anybody," she said from her booth Thursday.
"I think that's part of the business we're in.
"It turns it around so that someone who has come to this city has had a positive experience.
"I think that's what it's all about.
"For us it was a really positive feedback.
"We were very pleased that she had such a great experience in the city."
Writer: AARON KENNEDY
SJ Telegraph-Journal | Greater Saint John As published on page A1/A7 on September 12, 2003
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