Regarding your story, "Hard times bring sudden closure to South Auburn QFC" (April 9, Auburn Reporter), that doesn't sound anything like the true story why the store closed.

I have lived and shopped at that store for over 11 years. When I heard from all the employees who work there that the store was closing, it was not due to losing money. It was due to the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe not renewing their lease.

A few months back, the roof needed repairs due to mold. Some repairs were made, but there was more roof work that needed to be done. The employees told me personally that it would cost close to, if not more than, $100,000 to fix the roof. QFC leased the building from the tribe and the tribe didn't want to put out the money to repair the store.

As far as it losing money, that is not what these employees were told. They were told and had knowledge that the store was making money. Tribal people, as well as everyone near the store, used that QFC. Now, they just painted and put in speed bumps. Why not fix the builging?

Gossip has it, and I do say gossip, that the tribe is going to open their own grocery store. I guess we will just have to wait and see. I know it is their land and they can do with it what they will. But those employees there are out of jobs, and it is very difficult for them to move on.

Tears and hugs were the last days of that store.

– Kim Hesseltine

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