Only the loss of party favors

It is usually regrettable when a business closes its doors, particularly one considered a neighborhood institution, such as Bruce Variety [“Beloved treasure hunt at an end,” Metro, Jan. 3].

But nothing demonstrates the skewed location of commercial amenities more than this story.

While the good folks of Bethesda will have to do for a time without their zippers, puce ribbons and party favors, people in other parts of the region have a much bigger issue: having to look high and low for affordable basics, such as food, because large chain stores generally don’t locate in their neighborhoods.

Robert Klein, Gainesville