Another Christmas Story

By Shana Karn
TSK Warehouse
279 Rte. 13, Cortland 

T’was the week before Thanksgiving and all through the town, 

The big stores were prepping for a Black Friday “show down.”

Clerks opened boxes, filled shelves, and stuffed racks,

Ads descended on consumers like wolves in packs.

Store staff were told, “You will work on Thanksgiving!”

What could they do?  This hell was their “living.”

The Big Box bosses knew many cupboards were bare,

But it didn’t phase them; they just didn’t care.

They smoked their cigars and imagined the dash,

Of folks fighting over deals and laying out cash.

“No cash in your wallet? No problem, here’s a card!

No credit check needed, we won’t make it hard!”

But Ma in her minivan and Pa in his truck,

Struggled and worried; they were down on their luck.

“What will we do?” they asked sadly each night,

“We can hardly afford food and money is tight!

That night to the kids, Ma read Goodnight Moon,

While Pa, picked up The Cortland Area Tribune.

He was just dozing off when it jumped off the page;

An ad so compelling he was instantly engaged!

Just down the road, was a big little store,

With 25 small businesses inside the door.

Every Wednesday thru Sunday, there were deals to be found;

Inside each booth, treasures abounf!

Each vendor’s booth was a work of art,

Planned and created with each vendor heart.

Every corner was decorated with precision and care;

Not a table, nor shelf, nor wall was bare. 

Most items were “picked,” or thrifted or built,

Pre-loved or pre-owned, pieced together like quilts.

Each item held a story, a from the first to the last.

And all seemed to whisper, “Pick me!” as you passed.

But here was what mattered and what made Pa take pause

Supporting small business was a worthwhile cause.

Right then and there he made his decision

On Small Business Saturday, they’d be on a mission!

Forget Walmart and Target, Kohl’s and Best Buy!

Off to TSK Warehouse Vendor Mall they’d fly!

Who needs Amazon, Temu or Shein??

That cheap ol’ stuff is always the same!

TSK Warehouse was inviting, the vendors so nice!

The owner was kind, the items well priced.

No high-pressure sales, all prices were fair,

The best part of all was they all seemed to care!

The shop was closing, Ma and Pa both had a big smile,

Happy to have found the big little shop worthwhile.

As they left together, the owner turned out the light,

She locked the door and closed for the night.

Ma noticed there was a little food cupboard just outside.

The owner gave a nod, clearly filled with pride.

“The vendors all donated items like food and soap,

To the little blue cupboard that offers hope.

Here at the Warehouse, we really do care.

If we have extra, we try to share. 

We are happy you found us, please visit again.

We always look forward to making new friends!”

With a wink and a nod, the owner said “Help yourself, it’s Free.

Leave what you can and take what you need!”

As they climbed in their car and drove out of sight,

Ma and Pa thought to themselves “Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”