Thank you for your kind words in the article from May 3 about our shop closing. However, its main focus was me and Wilderness Glass was so much more than just myself, even if I might have been the most visible person there.

One slight oversight in the article I’d like to correct is that Matt’s wife Vi is not following him to Costa Rica right away; she is staying here in North Bend for several years until her retirement. Matt will be building homes there, as he has several contacts already.

Regarding my volunteerism, it was the result of a verbal agreement between my business partner, Matt Walker, and myself. I spent many hours working on chamber, Forest Theater or Relay For Life events right there at our office during the hours we were open. When we weren’t busy, it made sense for me to be able to utilize my idle time with computer work or phone calling for the various nonprofit organizations that were my passion. From 2001 to 2004, I was fortunate enough to have Judy Boyce work with me and I never had to worry when I was away from the office when she was there because of her efficiency. She retired at the end of 2004.

Our loyal shop and screen man, Randy Rhoton, who has been with us since two months after we opened in 1987, is finally retiring for the second time; the first being from the Coast Guard. Ann Fleming, who filled in for me during those days in 2005 and 2006 when I had daytime chamber meetings, is now working part time at the North Bend Visitor’s Center.

It’s truly been a pleasure serving our loyal customers these past 19 years. We were very sad that we were unable to find a buyer for both the business and the commercial property until it was too late and had to settle for selling just the real estate. We are thankful, however, to be able to safely pass on our devoted customers to All Service Glass in Issaquah.

Joe Blundell, who is the owner of All Service Glass, has assisted in this transition by taking over our original phone number. This “purchase” of our phone number will enable folks who need glass, screens, etc., to call our old number of (425) 888-9666 and be able to directly reach All Service Glass without having to learn their number, which is (425) 392-1122.

We feel very strongly that we are safely passing off our business to All Service Glass as it is a referral-based business that has been in the area for over 17 years and has the same high expectations of its employees and suppliers that we did. We feel we are leaving what is left of our business in capable hands.

Sue Beauvais

Co-owner, Wilderness Glass

North Bend