Editors, the Gauntlet
Re: “McQ’s becomes McSU’s,” May 18, 2000
Re: “Outcry over ousting of McQ’s,” July 20, 2000
Re: “SU store benefits students more than McQ’s,” July 27, 2000
A number of errors appear in [Toby White’s] letter and I want to correct them. Mr. White says that the SU purchased my leftover inventory. The SU purchased less than 25 per cent of my inventory. Some of my suppliers took back stock but I had to cover for the rest.
Mr. White says that my lease was 10 years old when it expired and that leases come to an end. Actually, I signed several shorter and two five- year leases for a total of about 15 years. Why is the SU not happy to renew the lease of an established entrepreneur? This is not just a matter of business. It is a matter of fairness.
Mr. White claims that my family sponsored only two scholarships in the past 15 years. Since 1991 we paid two scholarships a year worth $1,000. In nine years we gave 18 scholarships worth $18,000. We supported university students with our gifts.
I don’t know what others pay for their leases. I always paid what the SU requested.
We had a good business and provided good service. We tried to be a good campus citizen. You say that students will now profit from lower prices. I always charged a fair price and we had no shortage of patrons. I am not sure why Mr. White has a problem with that.
I wish the SU well in its new venture and thank our many customers over the years.