My Saturday Morning Surprise
So, I needed a new battery terminal for my old Ford pickup this past weekend. Thing was corroded clean through. Usually, I just pop over to the Advance Auto Parts down the street. It’s quick, they mostly have what I need. Real simple.
I drove over there Saturday morning, maybe around 10ish. Pulled into the parking lot, and right away, something felt off. Too quiet, you know? No cars really, except mine. Walked up to the door, gave it a pull. Locked solid. That’s weird, they’re always open by now.
Then I saw it. Taped to the inside of the glass, a plain white piece of paper. Printed on it: “This Location is Permanently Closed. We apologize for any inconvenience.”
Permanently closed? Just like that? No warning, no big sale, nothing I’d heard about anyway. Stood there for a second, kinda dumbfounded. That was my go-to spot for years. Always counted on them being there.
Had to Change Plans Fast
Well, crap. My truck wasn’t going anywhere without that terminal. Had to figure something else out. Remembered there was an O’Reilly Auto Parts a few miles further out, across town near the highway. Not as convenient, but what choice did I have?
Ended up driving over there. Took an extra twenty minutes I didn’t really have. They had the part, thankfully. But the whole thing got me thinking on the drive back. Is it just this store? Or is Advance Auto Parts really struggling, maybe closing down more places? You hear stuff, but seeing that sign really makes you wonder. Kinda sad, honestly. Another familiar place just gone.
