When I returned to my hometown nearly 20 years ago, Cannon Falls had three hardware stores. We’re now down to one, after Althoff Hardware closed after 92 years on Main Street. I don’t pretend to know the hardware business, but it’s always a tough day in a small town when a main street business closes. It probably goes without saying that I felt a strong kinship with a fellow multi-generation family business that always did a great job taking care of their community.

Althoff’s was the hardware store we used for a lot of our farm supplies, and we had a charge account there for decades. After the closing, I was able to snag a relic, a handwritten invoice from 20 years ago, cataloging all the turkey farm purchasing that month. Amazingly, we stopped in 22 times that month. Althoff’s was a spot you could stop in and simply charge something to “the turkey farm” and it would show up on our bill.

Although we sure miss Althoff’s, I don’t intend this to be a gloom and doom report. In fact, we have some great new shops in downtown Cannon Falls, and I’m proud of the destination we’ve become for so many things: our bike trail, our winery and brewery, distinctive independent shops, and good spots to grab a bite. And, thankfully, we still have a hardware store in town. Instead, I share this story as a reminder that our economy gives us what we support. If we’re doing our hardware shopping at big box stores in the next town over, we’re bound to lose the local hardware store, and all the convenience and service it provides. It’s the simplest economic lesson; our spending drives growth.

The same is true in our food economy, of course.  We get the food system we support and sustain. Ferndale Market is a testament to this fact; we’re here because people see the difference in what we do.

Back in town, we’ve already opened our account at the other hardware store. We’ll continue trying to do our part to support a vibrant local community and sustainable local food system. We appreciate you joining us to make it happen.