My Original Emotional Letter

Sometimes your heart just breaks, or the wind gets knocked out of you, or whatever...

Yesterday was my day. I came home after bringing Violet to Grandma's house, ready to start working on all the video editing that has piled up on me. I sat down at the computer and just started bawling. I don't remember the last time I did that. Something so deep inside of me was so disturbed by the fact that some people would think that bringing in a national chain big box store would add to our unique community. I was just so sad. And worried. I love this town, I want to stay here, I'm committed to staying here with my family, being the best person I can be.

Here is the original email I sent to over 100 friends I have seen or talked with or had some sort of contact with at Mom's shop in the past seven years.

Yesterday Adam came home and told me there was an article this week in the Annandale Advocate that mentioned building a small "Walmart" type store on Hwy 55 near the Free Church. I have attached this article below.

In addition to the discount store building which would be at least 25,000 square feet, according to some information on the Duckwall -Alco Stores business page, and would also include a national fast food chain (McDonalds? they're keeping this a secret...) and a national coffee house (Caribou? this is also a secret).

Obviously, I have a vested interest in this news and am extremely emotional after reading the Advocate's article.

Before opening In Hot Water in 2000 I did a complete business plan, which included demographics of the Annandale area and it was clear at that time that the numbers would barely support one coffee house. I decided I wasn't "in it for the money" but wanted to contribute to the town, and embrace the notion of living in a vital small close knit community. Although, I no longer own the shop, my mother has done a fabulous job of maintaining our original mission, to support the community, to support art, to be a safe haven for all kinds of people to come together, to support other downtown business, and to support the greater community (the rest of the world) by offering Fair Trade and Organic products. If a nationally recognized coffee house opens on Highway 55, I believe with all my heart In Hot Water Coffee House will not be able to stay open.



Also, the coffee house will not be the only Annandale business affected. This is a product category list taken from the Alco website:

All of our ALCO and Duckwall stores offer quality merchandise at great value prices. Categories include:

• Apparel: Men's, Women's, Kids'
• Automotive
• Candy, Snacks, Food
• Crafts
• Domestics
• Electronics, Video, Audio
• Fabrics
• Furniture
• Gifts
• Hardware

• Health and Beauty Aids
• Housewares
• Jewelry
• Lawn and Garden
• Pet Supplies
• Seasonal Items
• Shoes and Hosiery
• Sporting goods
• Stationery
• Toys



Looking at this list makes me think of Country Lane, Miller's Jewelry, Kaz, Judy's Cottage, Snooty Fox, Gardendale, Annandale Floral, Snyder's, and all the families connected with those business. Will these business be able to stay open? Why will anyone come downtown?

If the heart dies in a community, its downtown, how can the veins, the business on hwy 55 be healthy? What makes our community special? Why do people want to come here from the larger towns?

I don't think people will come here in hope of a fast food restaurant or discount chain.



At this point, I just wanted you all to read the article, I'm not sure if there is anything we can do. I guess I would like to make a case to the city council on Monday night and would like anyone and everyone's ideas, and or support.



Thank you all for being not only customers but friends. I am truly proud of this community, and no matter what happens I will continue to be proud of Annandale. Thank you for reading this. And please forward this information on to anyone you feel would help.



Amy Sparks