By MICHAEL CARLSON
Los Alamos

All I needed was a three-ring binder, so I hopped in my gently battered SUV and made the five-mile journey to Smith’s Marketplace.

My first stop in this Mall of Los Alamos was the Starbuck’s kiosk, where I bought a vende pink drink – which translates in English as a large strawberry beverage. Who can go wrong with strawberries?

Upon receiving my dose of sugar for the week, I made my way to the stationary aisle, where I found a binder that would suit my needs. It was double the normal price but better than driving off the hill.

I put the binder in my basket and eventually made my way to the self-check-out line, which stretched past the tea and niche sodas. Many of the self-check-out lanes were closed and one clerk was left to supervise the remaining do-it-yourself stations at the north side of the store.

After waiting in line for several minutes with fellow shoppers, I took my cart to the front of the line and told the clerk that if the store can’t adequately staff its store, I will take my business elsewhere. With my pink drink still in hand, I left the binder and the cart in front of the automated check stands.

About fifteen minutes later, I found the equivalent item for half the price at Aspen copies. The owner was friendly and deserving of my business.

In comparison, Smith’s is consistently dirty, riddled with broken fixtures and staffed with employees who would rather be somewhere else.

Roughly six years ago, this new shopping center replaced the old store across the street. Hailed as a welcome replacement to what was once part of the Furr’s empire, this modern facility has become a disappointment on so many levels.

If Los Alamos is going to continue to grow and thrive, residents need to demand better.