I worked at the old Venture store in Fairview Heights for 10 years in the 1970s, which brings back memories, the majority of which are not so great. Hearing the building was coming down made me feel sort of relieved (no more bad memories).

I started in 1972 and was told the sky was the limit. Depending on how much time you spent in the restaurant sucking up to whomever, this may have been true. If you actually applied yourself and worked, you might or might not get that raise that was supposed to show up. Usually a 25-cent raise was the norm.

Others who were in the restaurant drinking coffee probably got more. Unless you agreed with your supervisor, you were not getting anywhere fast.

To any of the former Venture managers who are reading this, I am now getting a state retirement pension.

Jim Preston

Collinsville