The Case for Small Shops

On my way to the Minneapolis airport the bus went by the Mall of America. Several of the people on the bus began to say “there it is” and other such comments of admiration and praise. God has blessed me beyond my wildest dreams and I enjoy those blessings every day. But I could not help but wonder why we give homage to such places. The term that came to my mind was “Monument to Materialism.”

In my trips to China I see Americans seeking out such monuments there as well. We shy away from the small shops that line almost every street. Without the demands of us westerners, would they even have their own MtM’s?

There is a lot to be said for the small shops. Instead of the impersonal nature of the MtM’s you get to interact with the owners of the shops. You go to your local shops and buy from your neighbors and friends. What’s wrong with that?

You might argue that those small shops don’t have the brand or color or flavor that I prefer. The MtM’s worship the idea of having everything “my way.” We have to have exactly our preference and will pay great prices to get it. We are all willing warriors in the Pepsi/Coca Cola wars. Is it really that important?

And of course we need the MtM’s because everything is in one place. It is convenient. I have the privilege of paying 3 times the normal price for that logo on the pocket.

Without MtM’s I would have to get exercise walking from shop to shop, buying only what I need from my neighbor, and drink water brand A instead of B. I can’t possibly go get my ‘daily bread” daily. What would I put in my huge closets, pantries, and fill my trash cans with each week?

So which is best? You be the judge. I’m probably wouldn’t side with the popular group, but that’s alright.