Editor, The Smithfield Times:

Kudos to the article written by Mr. John Edwards (“Amid needed progress, some history should be preserved,” March 3) regarding the Gimme Shelter, the building it’s housed in and the importance of both to the Smithfield community.

We moved just a few years back from the Virginia Beach area to the small town of Smithfield that we had fallen in love with after a number of visits. As we had downsized quite a bit, our inquiry into where our donations would be of the greatest benefit led us to the Gimme Shelter,  This was the first small business that we visited after our move and we were invited in as if it were a homecoming. It was the small-town flavor we had been looking for. We have supported the Gimme Shelter ever since.

It literally broke our hearts to hear this lovely piece of Smithfield is being forced to close due to “making the entrance to Main Street more attractive.” The history of the building and the wonderful mission of the shelter is certainly worthy of being preserved for our community to enjoy and be proud of. It is a treasure.

Our only hope is that the powers to be will recognize the value of this business and the building that houses it. Gimme Shelter is a gem. Please don’t throw it away.

 

Herman and Roberta Bunch

Smithfield