[Mpls] Apache Plaza

[Steve Sumner]

I miss Apache a great deal.  Some of my fondest memories of childhood
shopping trips were spent there.  The train rides at Christmas time,
Jolly's, the Ice Cream Shoppe, the video games in the mall, and the many
many years of church craft shows.   I remember as a youngster the very first
year I bought Christmas presents for my cousins with my own money and I
bought them at the craft show.   Does anyone else remember the Mad Hatter
Restaurant?  It's always sad to see area icons go, but Apache was never able
to recover from the tornado and not able to keep up with the competing area
centers.  I'll be glad to finally see new activity move in and flourish.
 As far as Wal-Mart goes, I've never shopped there myself and really am not
that familiar with their business practices.  I've read the various articles
highlighting the problems, but I can't believe that they could get away with
all the bad stuff that is written about them.  A big outfit like that is
under a very big microscope, and can't get away with all the stuff that they
are getting charged with in the press.   I tend to keep an open mind with
stuff like this, and keep a wait and see approach.  I'm all for business
owners making a buck, creating jobs, and giving back to the community.  I
also know that corporations can't get as big as Wal-Mart by committing what
equals to assault on the workers.  However, will this change my spending
habits...most likely not.  I'll still shop in the Quarry.
Steve Sumner
Waite Park