Tradition, longevity, staples.
These words describe the links between small towns and their productivity. Monroe has all three. Traditions like Cheese Days, and business staples that have been around for 50, 75, 100 years or even more. Baumgart-ner's, Swiss Colony, the brewery, Goetz Theatre, Turner Hall, Corner Cafe and Brennan's all come to mind at first thought.
The Monroe Boy Scout Troop 101 is celebrating 100 years on Sunday.
Longevity is tough to accomplish. The ebbs and flow of economies, trends, population swings and the like are hard on those traditions, those groups and businesses. Which is why we tend to gravitate to, and celebrate more, those long-lasting institutions.
It's also the reason we grieve when they end.
After over 75 years in business, Brennan's closed its doors Saturday. We all seemingly know someone who once worked there (my mother had a part-time job in the 1970s during high school and college), and we all loved the fresh local produce and chin-dripping peaches.
But markets change - and I'm not just talking about the fresh food stands. The business model Brennan's thrived on for all those years was no longer sustainable. Be it shopping trends, other buying options or the fact that we as a community maybe had taken them for granted, we were all a little shocked when we first heard the news.
When those staples close, it can be tough to handle emotionally, even if it's just new ownership and a name change, like when Ruf's Confectionary became Rainbow Confections. It's just not the same as it once was. I still call Piggly Wiggly "Dick's," as well as the BP gas station "Super America" or "S.A.," names not used in more than a decade or longer.
We look forward to Cheese Days and the Kiwanis, Jaycee and Optimist concession stands at the fair or a festival. We stop in to Baumgartner's for a cheese sandwich on a slow Wednesday. We go to the Sky Vu because we want to eat a pizza and watch two summer flicks on the hood of our cars. We take advantage of our local business staples mainly because they are always there for us. They feel like family. They feel like home. We take advantage of them because they have always been around.
Until they aren't.
So, as we close out 2017 and move into 2018, I propose we in southern Wisconsin make a concerted effort to go to the local mom and pop shops. To spend money and time in our local neighboring towns. And if you don't already, volunteer for a benefit, or a cause, or a concession stand. Because these businesses and local institutions make us one big family. They make us proud of our hometowns. And if we collectively neglect them because "they are always around," then someday they'll be gone regardless of market trends or a slow economy.
Thank you, Brennan's family and staff, for being a staple in our lives for so many years. You've filled our hearts with so much more than cheese, wine and chin-dripping peaches. But mostly the peaches.
- Adam Krebs is a reporter for the Monroe Times. He can be reached at akrebs@themonroetimes.net.
These words describe the links between small towns and their productivity. Monroe has all three. Traditions like Cheese Days, and business staples that have been around for 50, 75, 100 years or even more. Baumgart-ner's, Swiss Colony, the brewery, Goetz Theatre, Turner Hall, Corner Cafe and Brennan's all come to mind at first thought.
The Monroe Boy Scout Troop 101 is celebrating 100 years on Sunday.
Longevity is tough to accomplish. The ebbs and flow of economies, trends, population swings and the like are hard on those traditions, those groups and businesses. Which is why we tend to gravitate to, and celebrate more, those long-lasting institutions.
It's also the reason we grieve when they end.
After over 75 years in business, Brennan's closed its doors Saturday. We all seemingly know someone who once worked there (my mother had a part-time job in the 1970s during high school and college), and we all loved the fresh local produce and chin-dripping peaches.
But markets change - and I'm not just talking about the fresh food stands. The business model Brennan's thrived on for all those years was no longer sustainable. Be it shopping trends, other buying options or the fact that we as a community maybe had taken them for granted, we were all a little shocked when we first heard the news.
When those staples close, it can be tough to handle emotionally, even if it's just new ownership and a name change, like when Ruf's Confectionary became Rainbow Confections. It's just not the same as it once was. I still call Piggly Wiggly "Dick's," as well as the BP gas station "Super America" or "S.A.," names not used in more than a decade or longer.
We look forward to Cheese Days and the Kiwanis, Jaycee and Optimist concession stands at the fair or a festival. We stop in to Baumgartner's for a cheese sandwich on a slow Wednesday. We go to the Sky Vu because we want to eat a pizza and watch two summer flicks on the hood of our cars. We take advantage of our local business staples mainly because they are always there for us. They feel like family. They feel like home. We take advantage of them because they have always been around.
Until they aren't.
So, as we close out 2017 and move into 2018, I propose we in southern Wisconsin make a concerted effort to go to the local mom and pop shops. To spend money and time in our local neighboring towns. And if you don't already, volunteer for a benefit, or a cause, or a concession stand. Because these businesses and local institutions make us one big family. They make us proud of our hometowns. And if we collectively neglect them because "they are always around," then someday they'll be gone regardless of market trends or a slow economy.
Thank you, Brennan's family and staff, for being a staple in our lives for so many years. You've filled our hearts with so much more than cheese, wine and chin-dripping peaches. But mostly the peaches.
- Adam Krebs is a reporter for the Monroe Times. He can be reached at akrebs@themonroetimes.net.
