An Open Letter to the 'Sip and Save' Program That's Going Away at

Dear Sip and Save Program,

I can't believe it's been two years since we first met at the coffee area at my favorite Holiday Stationstore on Highway 10 in St. Cloud. I also can't believe our relationship is ending.

Not that it was anything that you or I did.

When we first met, you were just a new promotion -- a coffee or fountain soda of any size every day for a month for just $5.99. You were such a deal! Even when they continued the temporary program and gradually raised your price to $10.99 a month -- you were still a steal!

I went to your store EVERY DAY to pick you up. And while I was there, I often gassed-up the car and bought plenty of treats -- especially those chocolate-caramel crunchy protein bars that cost an arm-and-a-leg, but are super tasty.

For two years I dutifully came in to pick you up and we went on all sorts of adventures together. Any Holiday Superstore had you there for my convenience. Remember, when we went biking up north and we met at two or three different places? Or down in South Minneapolis on Cedar? Those were great times.

But now...now that's all ending.

Your corporate overlords are discontinuing you -- and rather abruptly, too -- at the end of the month. I don't know why. Neither do the nice people at the store who insist you're a great way to bring people like me into their store day-after-day-after-day and to build great loyalty to their stores. I feel bad for my store friends -- they have to tell people like me that you're going away and they don't agree with the decision either.

Hey, Sip-and-Save -- how does that song go? "Nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky..." And what do they say -- "All good things must come to an end"? But it's tough -- after two long years -- to say goodbye.

So let's not. Let's just say so-long until the suits who dreamt-you-up wake up and realize they're ending a super promotion that has made many people like me, super fans of their coffee and soft drinks and their Holiday Stationstores brand.

So -- for now -- so long. I suspect we'll meet again... I hope it's soon -- I'm getting thirsty.