No matter where you live in the USA, chain stores are everywhere, especially in the suburbs. There are hidden negatives to spending your money there:

• Homogeneous shopping experience such that where you live has no unique character.
• Money leaves the community, which lowers tax revenues. Money going into the pocket of local entrepreneurs that are likely to put that money back into other local businesses.
• Difficult for local entrepreneurs to compete, especially due to municipalities giving subsidies and tax breaks to large national chains.
• Stores commonly understaffed with people that lack knowledge and motivation, usually due to low pay and poor benefits.

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