Longtime Bookstore To Leave Its Location 

To the editor of The Charlotte Observer:

A used bookstore in Plaza Midwood, Book Buyers, has been told to leave so property owner Eastern Federal Corp. can create a new design and tenant mix. Removing this business is not in the best interest of east Charlotte.

The inclusion of a book seller in a neighborhood, especially one providing reading material at affordable prices, has positive effects. Pupils will have access to items needed for school. Learning and grades will improve. Residents who know the joy of being captivated by a great book will be less likely to vandalize. Graduation rates will improve. A more educated workforce will be available.

What business in east Charlotte doesn’t want top-notch employees? For these reasons, keeping bookstores in a tenant mix is a worthwhile design for all communities and corporations.

Knox “Buddy” Porter, Matthews

 Let Your Light So Shine

In my former life in Atlanta, I came to appreciate Hershel, formerly an Iranian Jewish refugee, who later became the owner of one of the city’s premier lamp shops. Once in the repair room, Hershel pointed to a pair of lamps & stated: “We are building those for Atlanta Brave Tom Glavine.” Impulsively, I switched them on & off thinking, I have just touched a spot which Glavine will also use!”

A later visit became much more serious, as I dropped in after noticing a going out of business sign. Hershel, standing amid a huge inventory, was devastated after the owner had announced a gigantic rent hike. He asked me to pray for him; I did. I attempted to minister by sending a Christian card with an Old Testament verse. Repeatedly I continued to drop by, usually with a great cookie from a nearby bakery.

Visiting ATL recently, I dropped by the new location where a bright-eyed Hershel stood. He told his workers how I had given “psychological support” during the depths of his crisis. Striving to again be the light of the world, I also declared to everyone: “I prayed.”

Hershel began to share the Jewish concept of prayer ‘in mass.’ Multiple people offer the same prayer at the same time. He cited the belief that Israel won the Yom Kippur War due to this type of prayer. Stating that he told everyone he encountered to pray, Hershel states this allowed him to liquidate his former store and began anew in his current location. I learned something new that day, which I found appealing. I liked seeing a proud friend standing amid all his lamps and light fixtures. Seeing the fruit of answered prayer was marvelous. I shall continue to pray.