這家連鎖量販店，從我有記憶以來，就開始營業了，離我家走路不過兩分鐘而已，所以，家人們還蠻常去那邊消費的，量販店的最大特色就是什麼都有，從民生用品到進口零食，從衣物、鞋子到廚房家電，甚至連居家裝潢的小物都能在這裡找到，我媽最常去買些食材及熟食，她有時候下班後精疲力盡，不想再花時間備料、煮飯，就會買些現成的熟食回家，就能輕鬆享受熱騰騰的餐點，而且，我發現不少熟食都比我媽自己煮的美味。
我記得，之前某次臨時出差，在準備打包行李時，我突然發現我常用的登機行李箱壞了，四個輪子中的兩個斷了，幾乎沒法推，聽說可以送修行李箱，但是有修理行李箱的店不多，再說，送修回來可能也要一段時間，假如，上網買行李箱，也可能來不及，於是我就到家附近的量販店找個行李箱救急，量販店賣的行李箱款式雖然不多，價錢也稍貴，但是對我而言，卻是完美救援，
前陣子，鄰里間就有傳聞，這家量販店要結束營業了，大家都感到遺憾，因為這家量販店雖然不是什麼特別華麗或高檔的地方，但是卻承載著我們的日常生活片段，對我們來說，這裡既像是購物的場域，也是一種生活的延伸。
我特別找個空檔去看了一下，店內到處掛著「大清倉」及「一件不留」的布條，原本放得滿滿的貨架，現在空蕩了許多，哇，我還真是不習慣，另外，我確認過，所有的貨品都有打折，但是最多只有打到七折，畢竟商品賣不掉的話，還可以搬到其它分店繼續賣，打七折只是回饋鄰里的老顧客，這家量販店陪伴了我許多年，從日常採買到臨時救急，它幾乎已成為生活的一部分，真是失去了，才想到它的好
This chain supermarket has been around for as long as I can remember, and it’s only about a two-minute walk from my house, so my family used to shop there all the time. The best thing about it was that it literally had everything, from daily necessities to imported snacks, from clothes and shoes to kitchen appliances, and even little home décor items. My mom especially liked buying groceries and ready-to-eat meals there. Sometimes, after a long day at work, she’d be too tired to cook, so she’d just grab some hot meals from the store. Honestly, a lot of them tasted even better than her own cooking.
I still remember one time when I had a last-minute business trip. While I was packing, I realized my carry-on suitcase was broken — two out of its four wheels had snapped off, so it was almost impossible to push. I heard you could get suitcases repaired, but repair shops are hard to find, and even if I did send it in, it would take too long. Ordering one online wasn’t an option either, since it wouldn’t arrive in time. So I went straight to the nearby supermarket to buy one. They didn’t have many options, and the prices were a bit higher, but for me, it was a perfect lifesaver.
A little while ago, there were rumors in the neighborhood that this supermarket was going to shut down. Everyone felt disappointed, because even though it wasn’t anything fancy or high-end, it carried so many pieces of our daily lives. For us, it wasn’t just a place to shop. It felt like an extension of home.
I made time to stop by before it closed, and the store was plastered with “Big Clearance” and “Everything Must Go” signs. The shelves, once packed full, were now half-empty. Honestly, it felt strange to see it like that. I also checked, and everything was on sale, but the biggest discount was only 30% off. I guess it made sense. Anything they didn’t sell could just be moved to another branch. The 30% was more like a gesture of thanks to loyal local customers.
This supermarket has been with me for so many years. From everyday shopping to last-minute emergencies, it was always there. Now that it’s gone, I realize just how much I’ll miss it.
