Another local business is to be replaced by a national chain.

Recently, I was purchasing craft supplies at Craft-mania and saw a sign in the window, “Celebrating 25 years — a locally run business.” I entered the store and congratulated a salesperson. She responded with, “Thank-you, but we are going out of business in September.”

My mouth dropped. How could that be? Hobby Lobby opened just within the past year and, evidently, did them in.

That is just too bad. It has happened so many times.

I recall being at an Auburn council meeting years ago when Walmart was getting permission to build. Representatives claimed that the Auburn store would be the only one in the state and that Auburn would be able to compete with the Maine Mall.

What a joke that was.

Margery Schuler, Auburn