I can understand your concern about the competition among the small busineses. I live in a fairly small town that still has the downtown square, yearly parade, Christmas tree festival, shoe repair, clockshop, barbershop, etc. The barber knows our names and all of our now grown kids

But, these businesses are gradually closing up because of the nearby mall and the stores such as you mentioned. They just can't compete with the prices and selection of the bigger stores. I think the "good ole local mom & pop" businesses will gradually become a memory. They are dying out. It is sad but true.

We also live within 30 minutes of a huge metropolis and are grasually becoming part of it. Perhaps local shops will stay viable for a few more decades in areas where there are no big cities - I don't know.

In the meantime - we do support our local businesses to some extent as there is no way to beat that quality of cervice. We use the barber, the jeweler and the shoeshop. We did have a terrific drugstore but it has closed, as has the hardware store. We have a little "greasy spoon" on the square that makes terrific breakfast, too