I've decided to stop shopping at big box stores, and start to support mom & pop shops exclusively, unless I otherwise don't have a choice.

I've always tried to shop at mom & pop shops, and eat at mom & pop diners, but I was never really enthusiastic about it. It's just something I've always been told was right.

Moreover, I've never really understood what constitutes a mom & pop shop. For example, this sweet little woman named Doreen in Tampa owned a Robeks smoothie. Obviously a big name franchise. But, the money I spent there very much benefited Doreen and her husband , who worked 7 days a week and were really, honest, decent people.

Also, there's something to be said about being able to walk into a super Target or Super Walmart and be able to buy socks, CD-Roms, groceries, and garden supplies all at the same time. What could otherwise be a 3 or 4 hour affair ends up taking up only about an hour of my day. And I save at least 15 bucks sometimes just doing it at Walmart.
Now, when I think about it though--such instances where I actually NEED all of those things at the same time are exceedingly rare. Also, I simply just can't see myself supporting bix box stores anymore.

My favorite mom & pop operation was a roadside barbeque place on Bloomingdale Ave. in Tampa FL. It's literally s small trailer set up on a gravel lot out in a suburban are in Tampa. But the barbeque was goddamned good. Shit!

My favorite mom & pop store is the Brandon Asian Supermarket. They worked with you to ensure the items you were looking for would be stocked if at all possible.

It just felt good supporting then, though I never had an agenda to do so.

But now... I think I'm going to actually make it a point to support mom & pop companies. We really need to start returning money back to small business owners. We can't rely on government to protect them.

MODS: This is NOT a p&R thread.



So, what's your favorite mom & pop shop?


.
[Edited 9/14/09 14:03pm]

I rarely shop at box stores.

I don't have a favorite mom and pop shop, but I can say that the difference between box stores and independents is most clear when it comes to pizza. The pizza that is sold in the chains, such as Pizza Hut, Dominoes, and Papa John's is morally reprehensible. I find it hard to believe that people are willing to shell out money to eat that garbage. I would rather eat the cheap-ass $4 pizzas that are sold in the prepared food section of my local grocer than the ass-tasting smegma that is sold at chain pizza stores.

On the other hand, pizza from most independent shops is great. I realize that tastes are subjective, and I cant tell someone that they shouldn't like something, but I think that anyone who prefers chain pizza to indy pizza is a damned fool and should not be taken seriously in any other aspect of their life.

Please don’t stop shopping at Target.

That is all.

For restaurants and coffee shops I almost always go local/indy. Occasionally I’ll stop at Starbucks (like a few times a year) or if I eat with family or coworkers and I don’t choose the place but that’s about all.

I love Target and I don’t care. On Friday I went to Target and got my new pair of glasses (they goofed on the first pair and had a new one remade), my prescription for my face cream filled, fresh vegetables, organic eggs, ice cream AND a couple of new designer dresses (Anna Sui).

Other than Target, Home Depot is the only other big chain store I shop at that I can think of. And The price difference from there to local hardware stores are SO significant, I try to do most of it at Home Depot if I can.

WORD!

We thank you for your support!!

www.downtown-interiors.com

My gma and gpa used to own their own resturant (mom and pop type) her kids and g-kids and great g-kids got our first jobs there and helped even on our daily lives grown up.

She has since sold it and retired a few years ago. I miss it and so do others.

RIP dear tradition

My favourite is the one on the corner of our street, just 100m down the road. If we don't have enough money on us, or no change, or no money at all, they let us pay them back later. We buy quite a bit of non-essential stuff there, like beer, soft drinks, ice, and snacks. We still have to go to the Tesco Express for some things, and do our weekly big shop at Tops supermarket in town, but I think we do our bit. We buy meat, vegetables and fruit at the wet markets here, and often eat in local small restaurants.

I definitely patronize local businesses when possible - restaurants, in particular.

I make a point to stop in the corner store by my house at least once a week to pick something up, even if it's just a diet soda. Cause I really like the couple who owns/runs the place.

Fauxie said:

In my old neighborhood we had a corner store where if I was low on money or didn't have any they'd let me run a tab and get a weeks worth of food 'til my next pay check.

heybaby said:

That's cool.

Fauxie said:

it really helped a lot when I was stuck. Honestly I don't know what I would have done

i find it best to buy what you want to see all the stores stocked with.
every purchase you make is a vote and determines what retailers will stock their shelves with. both big chains stores and ma & pa stores.
the more people vote for/buy the good shit the more the price will come down as manufactures compete to supply the demand.
when i buy alternative medications or remedies or when I go out to eat is where the most of my time is spent in a 'ma & pa' business. I guess I work for a small 'ma & pa' place though its a boutique store. And the only reason I am there is because I have bought from them for the past 5 years refusing mediocrity that most places offer.
But I will likely ALWAYS shop Target.

I always shop at mom and pop shops if I can. They have the best variety and if they don't have it, they will try to order it for you if they can. My favorite is Be-Bop Records and McDade's Grocery Store.

And how could I have forgotten about The Big Apple Inn down on Farish Street. I love the smoke sausage sandwiches and pig ear sandwiches, extra hot. So hot you will shit fire....

http://www.deltablues.net/apple.html

And before anyone asks, hell no, that old man sitting at the table eating a pig ear sandwich is not me.