A Stand for Local Businesses: O’Hickey’s Irish Pub Takes a Bold Step

In a world dominated by digital payments and global corporations, one small Canadian pub is making a big statement. O’Hickey’s Irish Pub in Fredericton, known for its Irish charm and cozy atmosphere, has decided to go “cash only” in a bid to support local businesses and push back against the fees imposed by American-owned debit and credit machines. The initiative, which started on Wednesday and will continue through the weekend, is a bold move to generate business outside the surcharges of card payments. Owner Jason Cooling explains that the move is not just about cutting costs but also about making a statement. “It’s a statement, sure. If we can start a small city revolution in regard to fees that are charged from outside companies—American companies—then so be it,” he said.

The decision is also a show of solidarity with local businesses, products, and the Canadian dollar. Cooling is considering making the change permanent, but for now, the pub will operate on a cash-only basis until Monday. The trial period is designed to gauge customer response and see how the community feels about supporting local businesses and using cash instead of cards. Cooling added, “We want to do this right up until Monday, just to see how the people felt about it, how they felt about supporting local business, how they felt about using cash as opposed to card, and we’ll just see how it works out.”

The Reason Behind the Change

The move is largely driven by the looming threat of U.S. tariffs, which could further strain small businesses like O’Hickey’s. By going cash-only, the pub aims to avoid the fees associated with debit and credit machines, which are mostly owned by American companies. These fees, though often small, can add up over time and take a significant chunk out of a small business’s profits. By eliminating these fees, the pub hopes to keep more of its revenue within the local economy, where it can be reinvested in Canadian products and services.

Cooling also sees the move as an opportunity to spark a broader conversation about the role of small businesses in the economy. “If we can start a small city revolution in regard to fees that are charged from outside companies—American companies—then so be it,” he said. The idea is to inspire other local businesses to take a similar stand and work together to create a more sustainable and equitable economic environment.

A Test Run for a Bigger Movement

While the cash-only experiment is currently limited to O’Hickey’s Irish Pub, Cooling hopes it could be the start of something bigger. The trial period is designed to test the waters and see how customers react to the change. If the response is positive, the pub may decide to make the switch permanent. But beyond that, Cooling hopes to inspire other local businesses to join the movement. By working together, small businesses can create a stronger, more resilient local economy that is less reliant on foreign-owned companies and their fees.

The experiment is also a chance for the community to weigh in and share its thoughts on the initiative. Cooling is eager to hear feedback from customers and see how they feel about supporting local businesses and using cash instead of cards. The response will play a crucial role in determining whether the cash-only policy becomes a permanent fixture at O’Hickey’s.

Supporting the Canadian Dollar

Another key aspect of the cash-only initiative is the support for the Canadian dollar. By keeping transactions within the local economy, the pub aims to strengthen the value of the Canadian currency and reduce reliance on foreign companies. This is particularly important in the face of looming U.S. tariffs, which could have a negative impact on Canadian businesses.

Cooling believes that by supporting local businesses and products, the pub can help create a more self-sufficient economy that is better equipped to withstand external challenges. The move is also a way to express pride in Canadian products and services, and to encourage others to do the same.

The Bigger Picture

The decision by O’Hickey’s Irish Pub to go cash-only is part of a larger movement to support small businesses and reduce reliance on foreign-owned companies. The move reflects a growing awareness of the importance of keeping money within the local economy and the need to challenge the dominance of global corporations.

By taking a stand against the fees imposed by American-owned debit and credit machines, O’Hickey’s is helping to highlight the challenges faced by small businesses in Canada. The initiative also serves as a reminder of the power of community and the importance of working together to create a more sustainable and equitable economic environment.

A Call to Action

As O’Hickey’s Irish Pub continues its cash-only experiment, the owner is urging others to join the movement. Whether it’s by supporting local businesses, using cash instead of cards, or simply spreading the word, there are many ways to get involved and make a difference.

The initiative is a call to action for all Canadians to think about the impact of their purchasing decisions and the importance of supporting local businesses. By working together, we can create a stronger, more resilient economy that benefits everyone.