Comments on: Reader video complains about an "eyesore" in Fincastle

By: Molly Gimbert

Molly Gimbert — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 15:30:57 +0000

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.

By: Larry Ceola

Larry Ceola — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 23:41:51 +0000

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.

By: Richard King

Richard King — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:09:31 +0000

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.

By: Rena

Rena — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:21:16 +0000

Larry should go to Wayne and volunteer some time, It looks like he has plenty of time on his hands.

By: Candice and Daniel

Candice and Daniel — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 22:57:08 +0000

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!

By: Jane

Jane — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:27:04 +0000

Thanks for the post. As a resident of Botetourt Co, I wondered about this place too.

By: Gary Drewry

Gary Drewry — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 23:58:01 +0000

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

By: Geo E

Geo E — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:51:42 +0000

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!

By: Larry Ceola

Larry Ceola — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:17:37 +0000

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

By: RD Henderson

RD Henderson — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:23:27 +0000

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.