Letters

Mini Market sign doesn’t ‘rile’ me

On June 10, the Voice ran an article about the sign on Hai’s Mini Market, saying that it “riles neighbors in S. Perry Business District.”

I am a neighbor. I have been here for 25 years and live three blocks from Hai’s. I am not the least bit “riled” by his sign. I think it’s homey and appropriate to the area.

People who choose to have businesses here have benefited from the fact that we are a lower middle class neighborhood. Mel Silva might keep that in mind. Hai’s sign reminds me that in such neighborhoods, you used to find people sitting on their front porch steps in summer after work to enjoy a cold beer, with neighbors doing the same. It was perfectly civilized to sit down to dinner and have a glass of wine and a peaceful cigarette after a meal, without being considered a community pariah.

Hai’s Mini Market patrons are no different than those going to the pharmacy or The Shop. I greatly respect Craig Sweat, but the “culture and character” of this neighborhood are reflected in that sign and in the faces of the people who buy groceries, beer, wine and cigarettes there.

Deborah Majewski

Spokane