06/02/2026
To Our Community,
Today, we received an alarming phone call informing us that our small rural grocery store could face a potential $20,000 fine because local musicians have occasionally played music on our patio.
A complaint had been made regarding these informal community performances.
While we respect everyone's right to ask questions and raise concerns, we would be less than honest if we said this news wasn't disappointing and a little hurtful. As the owners of The Local Store, we do not take money out of the business for ourselves. Every dollar earned is reinvested back into the store to improve it for our customers and our community.
Everything we do at The Local Store is rooted in our love for this community and our desire to create a welcoming place where neighbors can gather, connect, and support one another.
Fortunately, after speaking with the state this morning and reviewing the situation, the matter was resolved quickly. We were informed that we are in compliance and no further action is being taken. We appreciate the professionalism of those involved and are grateful for the opportunity to clarify the facts.
For clarification, the local musicians who occasionally play on our patio do so entirely as volunteers. They are not paid, do not receive tips, and simply enjoy sharing their music with friends and neighbors. These performances are:
• Free to attend, with no cover charge
• Not paid entertainment
• Infrequent and spontaneous, we do not actively seek out musicians to perform
• Performed by local musicians volunteering their time
• Primarily original music
• Held in a small rural grocery store setting
• Incidental to our business, not the attraction itself
•in compliance how much he should be one dollar with sound ordinance
We remain committed to following all applicable laws and regulations and to operating in a way that reflects positively on our community. Whenever questions arise, we will continue to work proactively and transparently to ensure we are doing things the right way.
At the same time, we hope situations like this can serve as a reminder of the value of direct communication. If you ever have questions or concerns about something happening at the store, we encourage you to come talk with us first. We are always happy to have a conversation, answer questions, and clear up any misunderstandings. In many cases, a simple conversation can accomplish far more than a complaint and helps keep our community strong and connected.
We believe the strongest communities are built through communication, kindness, understanding, and supporting one another.
As always, thank you for your support, your friendship, and for helping keep this little store open. We love this community and are grateful every day to be a small part of it. We will continue doing our best to provide a place where neighbors can gather, friendships can grow, and community can thrive.
With appreciation,
Ross & Michelle
