2008 Woodie Awards
Letter to the editor
Issue date: 5/2/08 Section: Opinion
On behalf of Rock N Records (and I'm sure I can speak for the Phoenix and Capitol Music here as well)… THANK YOU. Over the last month, I'd begun to lose faith in the idea that any small Macomb businesses had a prayer between the article that stated that Wal-Mart had all WIU students could ever need and the results of the Best of Macomb that placed Wal-Mart as Best Record Store, Best Auto Repair Shop and Best Clothing Store (Huh?). But because of Wednesday's Forum Speaks article, I've regained my hopes for the future of small business, thanks to Josh Jefferson and Brent Busby. I was beginning to think I was one of the few in Macomb who thought it was absolutely ludicrous that Wal-Mart would even be considered for Best Record Store (of course I am biased).
Due to all of the reasons mentioned in their article and one other major one…um….it isn't one. Just as it isn't an Auto Repair Shop (changing a bulb, a tire or a battery and/or performing an oil change is not a "repair" but simply maintenance that most people would find relatively easy with practice) or a Clothing Store (not that they don't carry any, but it's basic stuff and none of the popular name brands that students are wearing), not as its own category anyways. Just give it the "Best One Stop Shop" category that it deserves and let it win that one every year, and leave the small businesses of Macomb that work hard to master their particular trades to win their well deserved categories. In this particular case…the Record Store, a dying breed, and one that Macomb is lucky enough to have three of. While record stores are closing across the country, as the music industry becomes increasingly download based (as Brent points out so well in his other article in Wednesday's paper), it's nice to see appreciation for the ones that are still here. We love to see it pointed out that we try to please and accommodate our customers in ways that Wal-Mart never would. That we are in fact true, old-school record shops (evolved as we may be) and have a place here in Macomb. One that we cherish and fully realize is unique to places like this college town and largely due to its students, whose patronage we would not exist without.
Due to all of the reasons mentioned in their article and one other major one…um….it isn't one. Just as it isn't an Auto Repair Shop (changing a bulb, a tire or a battery and/or performing an oil change is not a "repair" but simply maintenance that most people would find relatively easy with practice) or a Clothing Store (not that they don't carry any, but it's basic stuff and none of the popular name brands that students are wearing), not as its own category anyways. Just give it the "Best One Stop Shop" category that it deserves and let it win that one every year, and leave the small businesses of Macomb that work hard to master their particular trades to win their well deserved categories. In this particular case…the Record Store, a dying breed, and one that Macomb is lucky enough to have three of. While record stores are closing across the country, as the music industry becomes increasingly download based (as Brent points out so well in his other article in Wednesday's paper), it's nice to see appreciation for the ones that are still here. We love to see it pointed out that we try to please and accommodate our customers in ways that Wal-Mart never would. That we are in fact true, old-school record shops (evolved as we may be) and have a place here in Macomb. One that we cherish and fully realize is unique to places like this college town and largely due to its students, whose patronage we would not exist without.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
JJ Chao
posted 5/18/08 @ 8:20 PM CST
Dear editor,
Here is how Karl Rove/GOP thinks about Mr. Barack Obama:
Karl Rove will peg Obama as a do-nothing senator who talked big and achieved little
http://politicalticker. (Continued…)
Dave Campbell
posted 6/05/08 @ 8:29 PM CST
Editor,
As a former President of WIU College Democrats, and a 2005 graduate, I am writing this letter out of concern for my party and my nation.The meteoric flight of Barack Obama through the maze of American politics must raise questions for every concerned voter in this country. (Continued…)
Post a Comment