[LanguageGamer]

This is a tragedy in its own right. Small businesses create richer communities and help stave off cultural homogeneity. They can be a source of pride for locals. They help de-centralize economic power. I hope we can find a way to rebuild what's being lost here.

[tluyben2]

Are you buying only local? As I agree with you, most people I know just order from Amazon even though the local places deliver too (the owners often drive themselves; or their children). Or, if not a Covid spot, go there ofcourse. Still, why pay a cent extra right? Not saying you think like that but most people do.

Restaurant/fastfood chains are preferred over local ones as well. I have no clue why (outside money, but cooking yourself is cheaper and nicer): if I wanted to eat plastic, I could just eat a garbage bag. But it is what it is.

Same goes for wine, beer etc; you fav craftbeer is probably owned by Heineken, while the local brewers are going out of business, even if their beer is far better.

Stimulating local businesses starts with completely cutting out the companies that own everything. People will never do that though for many reasons. It starts with money; without subsidising local companies by the gov, there is no way they can compete.

[enahs-sf]

I have definitely been supporting my local brewers much to the chagrin of my wife and waistline.

[dehrmann]

> ...fastfood chains are preferred over local ones as well. I have no clue why (outside money, but cooking yourself is cheaper and nicer)

Cooking for myself costs me more per calorie than fast food, probably even more per meal, especially if I want it to be nicer.

[Mediterraneo10]

A lot of local restaurants in small town USA source their ingredients from Sysco. While ownership of the venue might be local, the actual food is hardly different from that at chains.

[dclowd9901]

Big businesses aren’t new. Small businesses crop up because people love them. They’re not going anywhere. Calm down.

[gridlockd]

Have you ever run a small business? People may "love" them, but that usually translates to keeping them barely above water.

At some point, the system will run out of suckers who put their lifeblood into a venture rather than a cozy job.

[luckylion]

Unpopular opinion: I'm not convinced of small local businesses. Where I live, it feels like "that shop has always been here, it must remain here" without looking at whether it's really still providing the same service. I believe it's fine for shops to close, others to open, or to reinvent themselves.

There's always the argument "the town won't be the same if they're gone". That's true, but change isn't bad, it's just different.