September 30, 2008
After two hundred and five years of doing business in downtown Farmington, Howard's Rexall, one of the last remaining independent pharmacies in Maine, was bought out by The Rite Aid Corporation. Things to note in the photo are first, the door. This was Rexall's back door, a familiar site to us since our rear entrances were only five feet apart, and we popped over to Rexall's for drinks or scotch tape, or a yogurt, several times a day. On the door is a sign, pictured more closely to the left. The sign is, unnervingly, a kind of form letter. It reads, "Pharmacy Closed. If you like us now you'll love where we're going." That sentiment doesn't quite capture the moment for me.  I do not love where they're going, nor does the
woman on the poster bear much of a resemblance to either of the
Witt Brothers, who owned Rexall's. The next thing to notice in
the photo is the dumpster, which pretty much speaks for
itself.Is the corporate takeover of independent businesses, and the homogenization of long standing local economies, really something to be excited about. It is true that independent businesses give their resources, their money, time, goods, taxes, and services back to the community, but it is also true that in our current state of unregulated corporate expansion and consolidation, independent pharmacies, music stores, bookstores, and health food stores don't grow back. Locally owned stores give back to the community because they are an integral part of the community. The less independent businesses we have the less community we have. How melancholy it is to walk out our back door this morning, and how much that melancholy makes us appreciate the support of our customers, and the ongoing opportunity to make the literary life of Farmington as dynamic and enjoyable as possible by partnering with area libraries, schools, and our beloved customers. Here they are! Our weekly picks for the two best: two hardcover, two paperback, and two children's books. The very best new arrivals to leap out of the box and onto our shelves this week. Call or email us if you want more information on any of these titles, or to have us hold you a copy. Or stop in and check them out in person. We'd love to see you. Thanks as always for sharing your reading with us! |
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