Letter to the Editor: Are we to blame?

Editor:

The election is over and holidays are here. Some are already planning out their Black Friday, while others are already just about done.

We have a furniture manufacturer and a hardware store closing, who knows what other businesses just weren't big enough to make the press? There is always plenty of regret when we hear of the loss, but how much blame do we hold ourselves? Sure, that Fisher Price toy is a steal that one day for only $9.99, but I bet that wooden train set from the little shop on Main Street will survive to be pulled out of a chest one day.

Uncle Joe might really like those leather gloves from Walmart, but what a surprise it would be if you bought him a week's worth of coffee at the diner he visits each morning. Do you have friends who you just know you have to buy something for and figure a gift card will suffice? Sure, Red Lobster is nice, but so is the local steakhouse. Oh, Grandma likes to read but refuses to go electronic? Well I bet the used book store has gift certificates, too.

No, I don't own any local shops or even directly know anyone with a vested interest. I am just as guilty of hitting up the chain pizza with my coupon than paying a few dollars more. Most of us are struggling and making every dollar count the best we can, but once those businesses are gone, we can't go back in time and buy those tools that we needed, but decided to save a few bucks.

I'm just asking people to think about the smaller, local businesses too! Not just for the holidays, but as much as we can all year round. It's better than driving past the empty building and remembering what was.

Christina Holt, Front Royal