MOM AND POP STORES VERSUS SUPERSTORES

Call me old-fashioned but I'm getting sick of seeing all these superstores cropping up everywhere nowadays. Most of the time, the service is bad, the staff unknowledgeable, the items overpriced and lack quality et cetera et cetera et cetera. The idea of getting everything that you need under one roof used to be a very attractive concept to me but I'm afraid it is no longer so. Sure, everything is much more systematic, the surrounding is more convenient and comfortable, the variety is endless and there are places for the kids and hungry stomachs but it is almost next to impossible for us to get sensible advice and good suggestions from the staff. Mom and pop stores have always been the staple of any small neighbourhood or town. Most of the time you know the owners personally and they know that if their service or merchandise is bad, words will definitely get around. The neighbourhood stores usually become a part of your life once you know how to spend money. As schoolkids, you go there to get your soda or ice-cream (sometimes cigarettes if you have learned to smoke). Your mother sends you there to get something that she needs. You can ask the owner(s) which item is good value for money if you are on a tight budget. You can even knock on the door before opening time and after closing time as long as this doesn't become a habit. In fact, you can get a very personalised service from them without paying extra for it. It is sad to see that more and more of these stores are closing. They simply cannot compete with the superstores in terms of attraction, convenience and choice. Not much can be done to save these mom and pop stores anymore. Most of them have become a part of history and those which are still in existence are barely surviving. I am all for development but seeing familiar and friendly places going out of business or being torn down is absolutely heartbreaking...