2008.11.11
Reader video complains about an "eyesore" in Fincastle
Larry Ceola of Fincastle has sent us what can only be described as a "video letter to the editor." It's a video he's put together in which he complains that the Happy Mart in Fincastle is an eyesore that doesn't leave a good first impression of the town on people as they drive north on U.S. 220.
What do you think? Feel free to leave a comment below.
And if you have a more convention letter to the editor, you can share at news@botetourtview.com
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Dilapidated signs are a turn off for people and subsequently business. Let's keep Fincastle quaint.
Comment by Kim Saunders — November 11, 2008 @ 5:31 pm
Larry, The coffee is still good & fresh. Also reasonably priced. The staff there are great & friendly. Maybe because of the current economic situation, Happy's financial situation may be good. Their price of fuel is average w/the Valley. I WILL [and many others] will still shop there, for gas, a soda, snacks, etc. Every dollar spent in Fincastle benefits us as opposed to other localities. Hopefully Mr. Graves & Co. will do something about the exterior soon. Ye they aren't the only game in town, but do shop there.
Thank you,
George
Comment by Geo E — November 11, 2008 @ 7:59 pm
See the complete video at http://blip.tv/file/1454051
Comment by Larry Ceola — November 12, 2008 @ 1:15 pm
Well said Geo. E.
Let me say that Wayne Graves is one of the best people that I know in Botetourt County. Who knows what goes on in another's business till you walk a mile in their shoes.
Comment by Rena — November 13, 2008 @ 10:09 am
After listening to the audio, I thought I should take a look on my way to work as I pass the Happy Food Mart everyday and I had not noticed that it was such an eyesore. My opinion is that the property is not nearly as bad as Mr. Ceola makes it sound. I feel that there are many more properties within Botetourt County that are indeed eyesores and I do not feel this designation of the Happy Food Mart is justified.
Comment by Nancy Womack — November 13, 2008 @ 10:30 am
I agree there may be many other properties in Botetourt County that may be as bad or even worse, I just don’t drive by them every day. I am not trying to make it sound worse than it is. I decided to let the video do the talking for me along with my thoughts. The things I point out are not exaggerations, they are simply the facts. One only need to watch the video or better yet stop in and look for yourself. I didn’t doctor the images or create the visuals, they are what they are. And I don’t know what’s going on with Mr. Graves only that whatever it is, it’s been going on a long time. Since posting this video I have received by email many other things that go on there that I wasn’t aware of. Perhaps Mr. Graves should take a more personal interest in the place, or maybe he already does, I don’t know. At least cut down the weed trees growing out of the asphalt and pushing over the walls. After all an axe or a chainsaw will fix that, perhaps hang the swinging door back on the dumpster blind, or pick up the cinderblocks lying around. An hour or two of just the minimal maintenance would improve the place. Wouldn’t you agree?
Comment by Larry Ceola — November 13, 2008 @ 12:59 pm
I see that there is a new sign face onsite, I was told it would be up this week. Hooooray! Now if he will cut down the trees, hang the dumpster screening door, pick up the bricks and cinderblocks and stay open until the published hours he might be worthy of my business again.
Comment by Larry Ceola — November 20, 2008 @ 4:16 pm
I stop in every morning for a cup of coffee and go back and get a second
cup of coffee and I will continue to stop.It is your right to get yours
somewhere else.I feel it is sad that you have so much time on your hands
and all you can find to do is so negative.There is plenty of organizations that need volunteer help.I know our economy is bad and sales are down for everyone,but I try to help other business owners out,not tear them down more.If the local people choose not to shop at their local business,these stores and shops will no longer be able to
stay in business. THANKS KAREN PEERY CAHOON"S FLORIST
Comment by Karen Peery — November 25, 2008 @ 11:54 am
I thought personal property was still personal property. If these things bother you so badly, you can always travel to and from home via another route. I notice that many a client of the law office across the street parks under the sign. It doesn't seem to bother them. Maybe if more people support them they could fix these things faster.
Comment by RD Henderson — November 25, 2008 @ 12:23 pm
This video is not about tearing down a business, it’s about what I have to look at every day of my life as I drive through a community that I live in. It’s about the people that pass through the town of Fincastle on their way home or simply on their way to someplace else. Allot of these people will never see the town again. It’s the first impression of a town that has so much history and stature that I’m thinking about. I want to preserve or at least try to restore the town and its image. If that means pointing out what has become an eyesore then I will. I’m not trying to be negative there simply is not anything positive about this place to point out.
This was the best looking store in town several years ago, what happened? I know that the local government has done everything they can to get the signs replaced. The other stuff that’s going on around there is either grandfathered in or simply has no law that regulates the actions. I will gladly help with any repairs or maintenance that I can, I can bring my chainsaw and cut down the weed trees if they would like. I know people are having tough times but does that excuse simple clean up and maintenance. Improving customer service to attract new customers would surely help in bad economic times.
Since creating this video and posting to this blog I have received numerous emails, calls, and personal visits from many other concerned Fincastle area residents many with other issues I’ve not mentioned. Overwhelmingly they agree with my comments which are not exaggerated, mean or untruthful in any way, they are simply the facts. I chose to do a video rather than write a letter because as they say “A picture is worth a thousand words”.
Tough times are ahead, I’ve seen this economic scenario before and if you don’t get ahead of the curve you won’t make it. It also does not help other surrounding business to have run down business located right up the street. I really would like to see Fincastle be all it can be and with more community involvement and more folks speaking out and letting their thoughts and opinions be know maybe this will happen. The community would be much better served by having a gas station and store close by so I hope it will remain as a vital part of the neighborhood.
Larry Ceola
Comment by Larry Ceola — November 25, 2008 @ 1:17 pm
Larry, I understand and respect your plight. I did enjoy your well made video. I still shop at Happy's as often as I can, as well as the Quickette, Old Mill, & Dollar General. Knowing Fincastle as I do the apperance doesn't bother me too much as there are much more pressing items [personal & social] going on. I guess Wayne will do what he feels he can & when he can. Still we must keep our dollars as local!
Comment by Geo E — November 25, 2008 @ 1:51 pm
GREAT JOB Larry!
I don't live near Fincastle anymore but I'm glad someone has the backbone to say something about a poorly maintained property that is northbound 220's first introduction to a town that dates back to before the founding of our nation. I'm amazed that a commercial property owner would not be so proud of that location and make every effort to keep it polished and shining. Thank you Larry for your effort!
Gary Drewry
Comment by Gary Drewry — November 25, 2008 @ 6:58 pm
Thanks for the post. As a resident of Botetourt Co, I wondered about this place too.
Comment by Jane — November 26, 2008 @ 11:27 am
It's not like the video is suggesting to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars right now. He's saying Clean your place up a bit! Take some pride in your business. Give one of your employees a weed whacker, a pair of gloves and say 'Hey man, go chop down those weeds and pick up the bricks in the parking lot.' For the dumpster door- that might take a little more physical effort to fix with a screw driver and maybe some new hinges. Heck, maybe a new door all together. Even so... if people will continue to shop there then the business should continue to care what its premesis look like to show their customers they care. I just know I am much more apt to pass by a place that looks like it's falling apart to go to the next place that looks a litle more decent. A bad exterior may give a false impression about what is on the inside! Lastly, this video wasn't made to harm the business, it was obviously made to HELP the business. He isn't trying to deter people from going to Happys. He is trying to get the word out to fix Happys up to attract even MORE people to it and the town of Fincastle!
Comment by Candice and Daniel — November 30, 2008 @ 5:57 pm
Larry should go to Wayne and volunteer some time, It looks like he has plenty of time on his hands.
Comment by Rena — December 1, 2008 @ 9:21 am
I prefer to spend my dollars locally, but I have been in the Happy Food mart no more than twice in the past year. I find, in my opinion, more well stocked shelves elsewhere. Primarily I stopped shopping at the Food Mart because of the general appearance and upkeep of the facility. I applaud larry Ceola and the time he has taken to inform the owners and the community of the need to clean this place up. With a little effort, this store could again be an attractive facility, and I would again stop in.
Comment by Richard King — December 1, 2008 @ 12:09 pm
It’s now been over 2 years since this sign was blown out. It appears it’s never going to get fixed. I know they have delivered signs and the word is they were damaged. It’s surely been long enough for the damaged signs to show up again. Just what is up with this place? What do you folks out there think we should do next? Protests, Boycotts, More letters to the editor, town meeting, fund raiser to replace it ourselves, Community meeting with the owner/s to find out why it’s still broken? It’s ashamed this is still this way and very sad.
Comment by Larry Ceola — March 4, 2009 @ 6:41 pm
Dear Larry,
If the owner or owners would agree maybe we could all pitch in and help with our physical and monetary resources. I am willing to help. April 4, 2009 and May 2 are taken on my calender but others I could work on and in the meantime I will donate some money to help for supplies and help provide nourishment for those volunteering. I believe with all the great people that live in this beautiful county that all that could help, and would help in some way. So let me know what you think and thank you for all you do and for your dear family.
God's infinite blessings unto you and your loved ones.
Comment by Molly Gimbert — March 7, 2009 @ 10:30 am