HOLLY — A local man was once again confronted Tuesday with the difficult decision of supporting Holly businesses or retaining enough money to purchase additional goods.
The crisis began shortly after 5 p.m., when the man realized his household needed milk, cereal, paper towels and several other items typically associated with surviving until Friday.
“I absolutely believe in shopping local,” he said, standing beside his vehicle while entering “Kroger Grand Blanc” into Google Maps. “I just also believe in buying more than four things.”
After briefly considering local options, the man performed the traditional Holly-area calculation of comparing grocery prices against gasoline, travel time and how badly he actually needed paper towels.
He ultimately determined the most responsible course of action was to drive to Grand Blanc, where both Kroger and Walmart offered the reassuring possibility of wandering through 80,000 square feet of merchandise while pretending the trip was strictly about groceries.
The man returned approximately 90 minutes later with $173 worth of food, a new phone charger, windshield washer fluid and a package of seasonal cookies nobody had requested.
Asked how much he saved, he said he had not calculated that yet.
“I’m pretty sure we came out ahead,” he said, carrying in the third load of groceries. “And I supported the regional economy.”