04/19/2023
As many of you know, our business suffered a fire last fall. It started from a short in the wiring in the attic.
Greendale started in 1939 when Rufus and Irene Greene (George’s parents) turned their hobby into a career. The business started as a goldfish hatchery and the road we are located on was named after our business.
In the early 1980’s George and I moved to North Carolina from living abroad. We stepped into Rufus and Irene’s shoes and built a new building for Greendale. For 40 years, I saw many of you regularly as you made trips to our store. It was a career that brought me so much happiness. It’s hard to describe the grief that I felt watching it burn. It was like losing a loved one. I miss the routine of going down to the store, I miss our employees (current and former), and I really miss our customers.
I considered rebuilding the store. However, after careful thought, I believe it is time for me to retire. We hope to have more control over decisions like this, but sometimes life reminds us that we aren’t so much in control as we are in for the ride. I’m not sure where the ride will take me next, but I want to express my appreciation to each of our customers. I love you all and I truly miss seeing you. I wish you the best and I hope you continue to grow in the hobby that you allowed me to build into a career.
Best wishes - Gay
