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The big buzz this week was the closing of Rae’s Place and Deli in Sperryville. For more than a decade, Rae has been serving the resi; dents of Rappahannock in one place or another— ; moving as has been necessary to accommodate dif! ferent spaces and different markets but always ; with the same spirit of service and gentle charm. ! While many in the RappNet community are up i in arms and some have even suggested rallying in . • her defense, it’s tough for small businesses to sur, vive in any market these days. It’s a sad but all too I true scenario. ? Unfortunately, the concern over Rae has spilled '! over into angst against Sunnyside Market as the ! big bully who has come to squash the little guy. ; When Wal-Mart moved into Warrenton, the furor J was much the same. People rallied, folks spoke out ! at public hearings and many threatened to boycott the national chain and force it out of Fauquier. ' That didn’t happen. ; Instead, Wal-Mart came and now a Home Depot • is planned to open in November. ; Some small businesses did, in fact, end up clos» ing because of the competition that Wal-Mart ! brought. ; On the other hand, Wal-Mart, in many ways, I has proved itself to be a good neighbor—contributI ing to the local schools in various ways, honoring local teachers and providing many with much 1 needed employment. Cars have actually been spotted in the parking lot with No Wal-Mart bumper stickers. The occupants are inside shopping. What will be missed more than Rae and her place is a sense of belonging and a comfort level that many fear will be lost. It’s that hard to define feeling of a sense of security in your place that you have a cup of coffee and a good sandwich and a good conversation that grounds you and makes you feel that all is right with the world. What made Rae’s Place so wonderful was Rae herself and she remains with the community and is shifting with its tides and finding a new rhythm. The residents will need to do the same.