Yesterday a friend said to me, “When are they going to tear down the old Marvel grocery store building?” I said I wasn’t sure but soon, I guess.

I swung by City Hall one evening … and I failed to notice that the building already had been demolished. When I did notice the rubble, I wanted so badly to climb the fence to get a few bricks from one of my favorite, old Auburn landmarks. It had never been the Marvel building to me. It always has been the drugstore on the corner.

There was something about it that gave me a feeling of comfort and continuity. It made me feel just a little bit at home.

In the 46 years I’ve lived in Auburn, I’ve learned much about the city and its history. Better yet, I’ve had an opportunity to get to know some of the incredible people who helped build the city I love. Now, I find myself trying to work with the people who are tearing it down.

I really miss my old drugstore, and I hope others do. It was part of America that is going away, and it makes my heart ache.

– Virginia Haugen