04/06/06 Big chains might not always prevail

It is a death sentence for small retailers when a national chain moves into the neighborhood. While this it is often inevitable, it doesn't make it easier. I remember the emotion we felt back in the 60's when my grandfather hung a permanent closed sign on his corner meat market. You see, Grandpa could no longer compete with the super sized market or "supermarket". The news that Wal-Mart will now sell organic products has created such a tremor in the natural foods industry. While there is a romance to shopping at Whole Foods, Yokes, or the corner health food store the question remains whether consumers will forsake ambiance and presentation for price. I don't think they will, and offer Starbucks as proof. But I am a dreamer because I stubbornly believe that in our prepackaged convenient society we have come full circle and that the time is rip once again for that jovial butcher, like my grandpa who knows every customer by name and personally wraps (in white butcher paper, thank you) magnificently marbled steaks and decadent roasts. Source: Spokane journal.com /printer