This is in response to the opinions expressed by Neal Phenes in the June 26 edition of the West Windsor & Plainsboro News regarding the Plainsboro Village Center. In comparing the Village Center to Route 1 stores, Mr. Phenes states that “price and a wider inventory does matter.” While this may be true for Mr. Phenes, I disagree, especially when it comes to Ace Hardware. In my opinion, it is important to support local businesses. Not only does this keep fellow Plainsboro residents employed, but by supporting Plainsboro businesses, we keep tax revenue in Plainsboro instead of neighboring towns.
In addition, Ace Hardware has given back to the local community by routinely donating to and supporting the Plainsboro Rescue Squad. It pains me to see a local resident bypass this business all in favor of saving a few cents at an out-of-town business that may not give back to nor have any interest in the Plainsboro community. I also find that the time saved by going to Ace versus any other establishment is definitely worth any extra money I might pay for an item.
Mr. Phenes mentions that duplicates of many of the Plainsboro Village businesses are “available in abundance after a short ride on Route 1.” Yet in the same paragraph he also mentions how “he could take a gas station in town.” As a Plainsboro Village resident who prefers not to have a gas station and its concurrent potential for air and groundwater pollution in my neighborhood, I’d like to remind Mr. Phenes that numerous gas stations are also “available in abundance after a short ride on Route 1.”
by Sheryl Brown
