I am writing in response to Karen Vachon’s column in The Current, “Paying the Price on Route 1.” I loved this story! My husband and I really thought it was a great truth, and hit home for us, as we have started a new business on Route 1 in Scarborough.

We are the little shop with bells that ring at the front door. We do greet each customer with a friendly smile. We take special orders, gift wrap for free and don’t charge for shipping.

We still hear that Wal-Mart and Target make it tough for us to survive. We are on the “cheaper” side of Scarborough; hence, the difficulty to be on people’s “visual radar.” We just want Karen to know we agree! Route 1 in Scarborough is looking a bit shabby. We hope for change and that we can be one of the businesses helping to make that change.

We are a small, yet unique toy store. Our product line changes with the seasons. Katahdin Kids Toys hopes to benefit the ever-changing landscape of Route 1 in Scarborough.

Thanks again, Karen, for your always-great -observations.

Julie Onorato, Proprietor

Katahdin Kids Toys

Scarborough