The Olde Landmark

In our time it was built with the
best of intentions.
Everything about it said
'we care".

I can remember.

All the excitement as I walked in, and the attention to every detail, even as I made my first mistakes.

I learned.

They learned.

And, by example, when they left, I carried on.
I know all the customers; and they know me!

But time is strong.

People become more complacent than competitive.

The owner walked away.
"Why?"
"Because he can afford to."

The surface began to erode.
The equipment began to rust due to extended use and age.

And the foundation became unstable.

"Can we fix this?", I said.
"Just work with it - its cheaper that way.", said the owners' son, now in charge.
He then went out and bought himself a new house.

And still they came.
They didn't mind the graffiti
They said nothing about the higher prices.
As long as the name was on the product, they bought.
Any complaints were handled by the Customer Service Rep.
...but he doen't speak English...
How loyal customers can buy a watered down version of a once great product I'll never know.
They deserve better.

I'm tired, burned out, disgusted.

"Why don't you quit, and start a new job with a new policy?"

Because its cheaper this way.