Demolition of Useful Store

Chan’s Sundry Store was the main landmark in the village. When the villagers gave directions to their homes. they would tell the visitors “when you see Chan’s Sundry Store. take the right path” or “When you get to Chan’s Sundry Store, ask Mr. Chan for further directions to my house.” But more than that, Chan’s Sundry Store catered to the needs of the villagers. It was a big store and the Chans filled it with necessities such as foodstuff and drinks, as well as other things such as bicycles and small furniture.

A few years ago. he even started to sell music cassettes and videotapes to please his younger customers. The villagers were very fond of the store because the wide variety of goods sold there often saved them a trip to town.

The store was run by Mr. and Mrs. Chan. In the beginning, it was a simple grocery store. But they continually added more and more things till it had become almost like a department store for the village. The Chans were very friendly and helpful. They even helped customers who were in financial difficulties by giving them free bags of groceries.

The store was built on a big piece of land. The owner of the land had decided that he wanted to build a row of houses on it. That would bring him greater profit than the rental paid by the Chans. When news of this plan reached the villagers, they were upset and angry. They held a meeting and agreed that the store should not be demolished. They sent letters to the owner of the land, but to no avail.

Soon it was the day the owner had scheduled for the demolition of the store. Almost all the villagers came to witness it as well as to offer support to the Chans. The store had been emptied of all the goods and furniture. But in the minds of the villagers, they recalled the times when it was choked full of goods and products. and the times they enjoyed browsing in the store. A few men were still angry and wanted to confront the workers who were going to tear down the store. But Mr. Chan spoke to them and told them that it would be useless to create trouble. Then the crane started to dismantle the store. Mrs. Chan was not the only one who cried. Some of the villagers also shed tears over the loss of an important and cherished building in their village.

Mr. and Mrs. Chan went to another village to live with their son. On the plot where Chan’s Sundry Store once stood, the owner built a row of terrace houses and a small grocery store. At first, the villagers boycotted the store run by newcomers to the village. But after a while, they started to go there to buy their groceries. But it would never be the same as Chan’s Sundry Store.