Closing of favorite hardware store prompts nostalgia

To the editor:

In today's fragile business climate, store closings seem to be commonplace -- that is, until it comes to the closing of my favorite hardware store, True Value Hardware. Then, as the movie says, it gets up close and personal.

As a lifetime do-it-yourself person, I've spent untold hours browsing and shopping in hardware stores, especially the smaller, locally owned ones. They are my favorites. Apparently, I spent too much time browsing and not enough time shopping, since my favorite store recently announced it can no longer operate at a profit.

It's tough to accept the demise as just a fact of life. In reality, I guess that is just what it is.

About all there is left to say now is, "Good luck, John Sander, as you chart a new course. It was swell while it lasted."

TERRY ROLLINS

Cape Girardeau