to the residents of stardew valley,
but more importantly, my neighbors and my friends. when i took this office, i swore to do right by you and to lead always with your best interests in mind, and over the years i have done my best to keep that word. i see now, though, that allowing joja mart to take refuge in our town was not in any of our best interests.
i understand the threat that large corporations often pose to small businesses, but i believed joja mart would diversify our town’s offerings and grant us all access to products we can otherwise only find in the city. without proper care and regulations, however, joja mart’s stronghold clearly tears our community apart in the most regrettable way.
over the past two months, i have tried to negotiate with joja mart and establish a balance that could allow both joja mart and the general store to thrive alongside each other. because we could come to no agreement, i will not allow the corporation to stay in the valley when its lease expires at the month’s end.
i understand this is the least i can do by way of reparations, and it will also host more problems for us in the valley. to ensure you all have access to the products you need, i have developed a plan with the mercer family to ensure their store can reopen at once. i will also work with the other businesses who have taken losses due to joja mart.
this matter goes beyond business. your trust is something i can only restore through further time and care. but as your neighbor before your mayor, i thank you for your letters and meetings, for my accountability. time and time again, you all spoke of the community that we have built together, and you are right. stardew valley as we know it takes a village, and i am nothing without your guidance. so i thank you.
your friend, lewis
