Tallahassee Democrat
Thursday 20th, 2011
Dear Editor-
On a routine trip to Ro-Mac Lumber and Supply [map] last week, I saw a handwritten door sign: "All Sales Final: Going Out of Business." With disappointment, I shook my head. Not Ro-Mac.
Two years ago, I started Tallahassee Food Gardens with $300 and a pickup. My mission was to enable "wannabe" food gardeners, network local food and community garden activists, and, generally, support the food movement.
From the beginning, Ro-Mac was my supplier for raised-bed lumber, hardware and tools. By my third visit, they greeted me by name. Unlike the big boxes, the folks in Ro-Mac knew things. Frequently, they cut my boards to size; occasionally, they charged me. Ro-Mac was and remains a great local business that's far more than a store. It's a storehouse of great people, trade wisdom and incredible service.
Ro-Mac opened in 1946. It closes shop in March. The guys at the front desk jokingly told me, "You didn't build enough raised beds."
Ro-Mac's closing saddens me.
I propose that we, the Tallahassee community, thank and honor Ro-Mac for its 65 years of exemplary service by purchasing its shelves clean.
Nathan Ballentine
aka the Man in Overalls
Tallahassee Food Gardens
850.322.0749
maninoveralls at gmail dot com
maninoveralls.blogspot.com
Man in Overalls on Facebook
Thanks to Ro-Mac: Letter to the Editor