I don’t believe anyone has vilified the buyers of the Robinson building. I’ve read the original article and every letter about the possible loss of the quilt shop with close attention. Rather than vilifying the new owners, letters have focused on islanders’ love and appreciation of the quilt shop and their sadness over losing it.

The attention given to the new owners has been to express the writers’ hopes that they might find a solution that would preserve the quilt shop in its current location.

Islanders are concerned about the loss of a bright and welcoming gathering place for the whole community and the damage to island businesses if this anchor store should leave. These are important issues, and far from ending this discourse as one writer suggests, it is completely appropriate for our community to share views on an island resource many have come to love.

Many islanders hope and believe that another solution can be found, that the buyers can help to preserve the quilt shop in its current location while satisfying their own business needs.

No one wants their business to fail. But we respectfully request that a different option, one that preserves the quilt store where it is, be given serious consideration by the buyers.

A win-win solution for both parties would be cause for an island-wide celebration.

— Carla Kiiskila