Small town "Mom and Pop" shops becoming a thing of the past?
By pizahr
@pizahr (265)
United States
December 28, 2006 8:23pm CST
I live in a area that is rapidly loosing the quaintness of the "mom and Pop" type shops. The place where you could go in your hometown that knew you and would make you feel welcome everytime you came in to shop. That worked hard to get that "special" item you are looking for.
Ten years ago my husband and I purchased a "mom and pop" hardware store. A place where we carry the unique and know everyone by name. Unfortunately in the last 10 years we have noticed the fall of these kinds of stores. We arent even any more expensive than the Wal-marts but for some reason people think we are. And we carry a better quality than the large retail stores. The lines are always short too.
I just want to say that once the "mom and Pop" stores are gone they will never be back! Our children will never have the privilege of knowing this kind of store. I am only 47 and I guess I am the last generation to have this. As I drive through towns all I see is empty stores where the 'mom and pops' were.
I dont completely blame the large retailers, I blame the general public for not stopping to see if we have that special item or if we can even get it. Chances are we can. Then you might save that $6 in gas by not traveling to the nearest Wal Mart.
1 person likes this
4 responses
@janet069 (663)
• United States
29 Dec 06
Unfortunately Wal Mart has hurt everybody. The small Mom and Pop stores are the first to fall. Soon Wal Mart will own the country and then they can charge any price they want. I hate to see that day come but I'm afraid it is on the way. I personally will shop anywhere I can before going to Wal Mart. I only go there if I can't find what I need somewhere else.
2 people like this
@pizahr (265)
• United States
29 Dec 06
I do put some blame on Wal-Mart but the people choose to go there. They think they are saving money but they drive 10 extra miles and waste the gas to go. They drive right by the small businesses. When all they have to do is stop in. We work hard to please all of our customers. They dont think about the extra money they put into their gas tanks and they end up saving a few pennies when they get there. So in reality they are loosing money.
Thanks so much for your input.
1 person likes this
@pizahr (265)
• United States
2 Jan 07
Unfortunately, we all do. The malls are crowded and crazy but we still go. Walmart has junk but we still go. We even drive out of our way to go. But the small shops which try to cater to the customer and also has a personal relationship with the people are forgotten.
And many people think because one owns their own store that they have money. Well this is not true. We dont get breaks from the government like Walmart. Our taxes are outrageous. Our profit margin is much lower because we cant compete. So we work harder but charge less.
And as I said before, if you look at all of your towns it will show you the truth. Once they are gone, they are gone. With the times the way it is no one has the money to attempt it again.
Thanks so much for commenting.
@Ashida (1370)
• United States
29 Dec 06
I hate to say it, but I think you're right. I do think there are opportunities for niche shops. Specialty product shops and so forth. I don't think it's Wal-Mart's fault. I mean, people are the ones who made Wal-mart so big.
@pizahr (265)
• United States
2 Jan 07
You are so right. WalMart is just there. People make choices. And what saddens me is on many items they are not cheaper. People are just told they are and do not find out for themselves. Or their stuff is just junk. To top it off the customer drives 15 miles further to go there but they dont think about the gas they put in their car to get there.
Anyway, thanks for responding.
