I would like to address (and refute) the comments made by S. Coles (letters, Jan. 13), who wrote scathingly of the people of Federal Way, suggesting we were so materially-minded we “looked to the buck” by preferring to shop at Wal-Mart rather than the now-closed Metropolitan Market.

Wake up! As you may have noticed, we are dealing with such economic crisis that most hard-hit Americans generally have to weigh their shopping preferences in favor, simply put, of where they can get the mostest for the leastest. Maybe they would prefer to eat Marie Antoinette’s cake rather than read, but it’s simply a matter of economics.

Personally, I share in the general mourning about Metropolitan Market’s closure. Shopping there was a most pleasant experience. But you know, in doing so, there were always moments of sticker shock — admit it now!

Pat Buchanan, Federal Way