Victoria MN Newspaper-Letters to the Editor

Holy Family Catholic High School

Victoria * 952-443-4659

To the Editor:

Our names are Zachary Stueve and Chris Valenty from Boy Scout Troop 337, Victoria. We will be having our Eagle Court of Honor and would like you to attend if possible. The entire troop will be present and we will have a picnic at 6:30 prior to the Court of Honor. You are welcome to join us. Thank you.

Chris and Zachary

Victoria, Minnesota

To the Editor:

Sunrise, sunset, one season following another. Business. I love business. I love the chase, the lure, the connections, the customers, the service, and the idea of profits. I love to hear how reputation, satisfaction, ideas and ambiance and kindness all serve and create repeat business. I like seeing willingness of staff to serve and how decor and design bring people together to do business.

And when I learned that Victoria was getting a grocery store, I was thrilled. We in "little" Victoria got a gorgeous store with beautiful decor, fresh vegetables, lovely meats for any occasion, a staff that bent over to serve, to carry, and to help the customer with any need. Fresh Seasons Market was for me. Me, silly me! It was for me, no longer cooking for a large family and millions of guests. Just me.

Oh, and the wonder of folks carrying the groceries, packing them, smiling, and knowing me, asking how my hip operation was progressing, and how my business was thriving. And the teen checkout boys and girls and women all interested in "What do you speak about?" And me interested in them and their school subjects and how they were doing.

And the kindness of those who left, from Dale Reilly to Mr. O'Neill, Jan Stucki, and those amazing folks I knew from Lunds Byerly Days. I could hardly believe we had them in Victoria.

And then the talk. "We shop at Cub. We need coupons. We were at Target and even though our credit card was compromised, we went there for toilet paper. Oh, such a good deal on that. I buy my tea at Fresh Seasons but my weekly groceries at Rainbow, Cub, Target."

Okay, I get it. Big family saving money. You were already out at the bull eye's store so you bought it all there. Pop was three cartons for $10.99. I get it. The real deal is that there is no deal. We now have no grocery store in Victoria and we can drive our hearts out, zooming to Chanhassen, to Chaska, to #7 and #41, to Waconia, or wherever we enjoy a five to six-mile trip to shop in the zoo of carts, of stacks, of bag it yourself, of parking lot tundra and ice.

Now we get to do it on our way home from the airport, from the Mall, from almost anywhere on a big #212, #393, #494, #694. What we don't get is our own very special, loving, pretty, local, decorative, serving grocery store in Victoria. It is gone.

My heart is so sad, Tom Wartman. I am so sorry. I bought as much as I could but there was only me to buy for, and I couldn't buy enough to keep your doors open. But dear God knows I tried.

Janie Jasin

Victoria, Minnesota

To the Editor:

Hi, Sue. Loved the article about your parents. They are a beautiful, youthful looking couple which explains your same qualities.

Jan and I were extremely saddened to hear that Fresh Seasons Market was closing. Jan would make an occasional visit to Lakewinds or Trader Joe's but we probably did 85% of our shopping there. We both loved the convenience, overall shopping experience, and the feeling that it was "our store." I don't have fond memories of getting trapped for long periods in the checkout line at some of the other stores. We'd like to see another grocer in that location but realize it's a very competitive business with multiple competitors located less than five miles away.

One other note, I couldn't help but feel a tinge of sadness to see the new Lakeside Building going up in Victoria directly across the street from Vic's Bar and Grill. I'm sure it will be a nice building and all, but I guess I took for granted all these years the spectacular view of the lake that we all had without it. Have you heard from others who feel similarly? Perhaps people will grow used to it in time. Take care.

John Chapman

Victoria, Minnesota

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