Brenda's is a touch of what life used to be like every where, all over the United States.
If i was comparing this store with the prices at Wal Mart, she can't compete. No star there. If I was judging on the sparkling cleanliness of the store, no star there. No star for huge selection, no, those are not the stars she bares.
When I walk up to the door of this small Ma and Pa (Which is owned by ma and pa) the door is opened for me if my hands are full. I know the people behind the counter and they know me. I ask the woman behind the counter how close she is to delivery and she asks me how my boys did in their baseball tournament. I grab a cup of coffee that may be fresh or it may be a few hours old, while I am surrounded by all the teens that just got out of school and are buying something to eat before they go to afterschool sports.
While I sip my coffee I shop for essentials, because that is really all that is available at this little store: milk, bread, eggs, - sweets for the kids. I line up at the end of all the school kids talking. I see friends of my children, we talk. Brenda (MA) comes out of her office and says Hi to everyone. Her two dogs are running around the store violating every health code possible. Two best loved dogs in the town. Ahead of me a family is buying gas on credit. Not a credit card, but "I'll catch ya for it later Brenda." Credit. If she knows you and trusts you, that is credit in this town, at this store. Just like it used to be.
This place is the Hub of life and activity in Onalaska. This is where we connect after games that are won or lost. Here is where we grumble about gas prices, where men smoke together out front the building, less than 25 feet from the front door. We have our post office, our laundry mat, our gas and diesel, our local starage unit, our store and even our local caterer's - right here!
When I come to Brenda's and am greeted by wet nosed dogs and smiling faces that know my name at the front door as I purchase my over priced bread and twice warmed coffee, I am reminded why I moved from Seattle to Cow Town America. I like how it used to be or really, how it still is. read more