Grand Avenue alert

I just got back from a lovely, long walk down Grand Avenue with Alex. We had breakfast at Coffee News Cafe, and then stopped by at the Coat of Many Colors store (my favorite). While there I heard the distressing news that the Best Hardware store on Grand (another one of my favorites), as well as the Abbott Paint Store (a good place for great advice), are both really struggling, and barely staying afloat now that the new Menard’s has moved into University Avenue. This is really bad news! I love the hardware store, they’ve always been very helpful and willing to give good advice (not to mention it’s fun to visit the two cats that hang out there). Combined with the loss of Sidney’s, the Ragamuffin Togs store, and Saga Designs, Grand Avenue is having some major problems.

Please think twice before patronizing the "big box" stores that are moving into our neighborhood, and go as often as you can to the little, locally owned stores. Now might be a good time to do your holiday shopping, and use it as an excuse to support these places!