To the editor:
This morning, I went shopping at Price Chopper and noticed, with great disappointment, that all of the Market 32 carts had been changed back to the old metal Price Chopper carts. I’m pretty sure this means that, since this store was denied the ability to sell beer and wine, it will not remain in Great Barrington once the lease is up. This is a very sad consequence for our residents due to a bad decision made by a handful of people.
As I walked down the aisles, I couldn’t help but notice how clean and well stocked they all were—and how friendly and helpful all the employees are. What will become of all of them when this store shuts down? It made me very sad to think about it.
Great Barrington has changed a lot in my time as a resident. Lifelong residents lament that they don’t really recognize it any longer … it has changed that much. We have numerous cannabis dispensaries and many high end retail shops and restaurants. Affordable housing developments are growing at a steady pace. Doesn’t it seem like a bad idea to completely eliminate a grocery store with the increased population all that housing will bring? And for the reason that having alcohol there would make it too tempting for someone struggling with addiction or living a sober lifestyle? People need to live and learn to live in the real world! In Great Barrington, that reality includes numerous dispensaries as well as a liquor store that will deliver right to your house! Doesn’t that make it very easy to act on temptation with a simple phone call?
By making this decision, the Great Barrington Selectboard will be getting exactly what it intended to prevent: There will not be a single grocery store in town that doesn’t sell alcohol. As a taxpayer in this town, I am angry and disappointed that the entire community did not have the opportunity to be a real part of this decision. The consequences of losing Price Chopper/Market 32 will be enormous.
Marianne Keane
Housatonic
