Sic Transit Gloria

The poor economy has lately claimed two businesses that I will really miss. Piatto was a restaurant within walking distance of our house - and it was really nice! Our family had many little celebrations there in the last few years. The delicious olive spread and bread basket are gone forever - sigh.


And I used to stock up every winter on a 10-lb. box of steel-cut oats at The Home Economist in a nearby suburb. They sold lots of baking ingredients in bins, long before stores like Whole Foods took over the idea. You could buy as little or as much as you wanted, including grinding your own peanut butter. It was a great way to buy a little bit of a spice that you knew you wouldn't use very often.

So, to all of you out there: patronize your local businesses! They might not make it otherwise.