God, I can't wait to have a spare moment to read this. I am a huge, huge advocate for supporting small and local businesses. Everything from stores, to restaurants, to entertainment. Not all of them are shining examples of morality, accountability, etc., but they're a huge step up over faceless corporations (though some corporate giants have their place). I honestly think that it's one of the best ways to spend your money and that the benefits of supporting your local economy is well worth any premium in price.
As far as I'm concerned, the one thing LA has going for it is it's a superheated consumer economy... which means chains tend to fare poorly here, while small locals can actually get established. Boutiques, restaurants, clothing labels... they do pretty okay in LA. of course, you pay $70 for $30 sushi and $12 for socks but it's something.
Yes, but to be fair, you're not paying that money just for sushi and socks. You're also paying that money for it to better circulate in the local economy, develop and foster relationships with the employees and business owners and be able to give direct feedback on their products and services, encouraging them to continue to participate in the local economy, and on and on. Most of all, you get to be smug. Fuck you Lowes. I'm getting my $1.75 worth of nails at Jimbo's Hardware and I'll be GLAD to pay him $3 for it. Like I said, when you stop to think about it, the benefits are well worth the premium. I might buy that guy's book. It seems like an interesting read.Of course, you pay $70 for $30 sushi and $12 for socks but it's something.
Sure! Things get downright bucolic up north. And Redneckistan went from "dirt cheap" to "expensive as hell" to "cheaper than dirt" in the housing crisis. Only problem is you have to live there.