kolmanlit
The Corner Store
I remember going to Whitelock's Grocery at ten.
Mom and Dad started to send me to pick up things.
A glass door with a green frame, I opened.
Not too big, not too small.
Just right to walk around in.
I don't remember specifically what I bought.
But it was fun to go.
There was always a pleasant smile
and pleasant service.
I mentioned that to my father at thirteen.
"Of course," he said.
"They are being polite because
you are buying from them."
Lessons on customer service can come so easy.
I saw my friends there.
And people from all over the neighborhood.
You could have a conversation,
or just go.
I always found what I needed.
At sixteen, I asked one of the owners,
"Why did you close down the store?"
"Oh," Mr. Whitelock said, "When these
big supermarket chains come in,
they want the business all for themselves.
It was getting time to retire anyway."
So, I always wonder,
what is gained,
what is lost,
by ruining Mr. Whitelock's happiness?
I think his son, Jerry,
would have preferred the store
to his accounting work.
Mom and Dad started to send me to pick up things.
A glass door with a green frame, I opened.
Not too big, not too small.
Just right to walk around in.
I don't remember specifically what I bought.
But it was fun to go.
There was always a pleasant smile
and pleasant service.
I mentioned that to my father at thirteen.
"Of course," he said.
"They are being polite because
you are buying from them."
Lessons on customer service can come so easy.
I saw my friends there.
And people from all over the neighborhood.
You could have a conversation,
or just go.
I always found what I needed.
At sixteen, I asked one of the owners,
"Why did you close down the store?"
"Oh," Mr. Whitelock said, "When these
big supermarket chains come in,
they want the business all for themselves.
It was getting time to retire anyway."
So, I always wonder,
what is gained,
what is lost,
by ruining Mr. Whitelock's happiness?
I think his son, Jerry,
would have preferred the store
to his accounting work.
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The Corner Store
The Corner Store