SHOPKO: A ghost returns

The Coeur d’Alene Press announced Shopko is closing.

A decade or more back a Shopko pharmacist who was a wrestler tackled an armed thief, disarmed him and held him until the police arrived. He was fired because his actions did not conform with company policy. He said he knew the corporate policy was to not fight back, but he simply reacted according to his training, without thinking.

I wrote to Shopko Corporate in Green Bay, Wis., and advised they had made a stupid mistake by firing the guy. I suggested they rehire him, give him a paid one-week vacation, and provide him with a plaque to go on the wall saying what a fine fellow he is and that the corporation was grateful despite his violation of policy. I said if they let their error stand, I would stay away from the local store.

Corporate sent a note acknowledging receipt of my suggestions.

The pharmacist got another job quickly, his services being in demand. He stated at the time he was a bit shocked by Shopko’s response to his reaction to the bad guy but he would, he was sure, get over it.

Now Shopko is closing. Hmmm. I wonder if other North Idahoans agree with me about valuable good guys vs. the despicable bad ones. Or, maybe Shopko just cannot compete in today’s market. I am sure they would say the latter.

BOB McILVENNA

Kootenai County