Another Link in the Chain

I read, “In Praise of Chain Stores” by Virginia Postrel in chapter ten of Joining the Conversation: Writing in College and Beyond. Any news I’ve ever heard about chain stores has been negative. Everything from them destroying small, local businesses to supporting labor from outside the U.S. has been thrown into the mix. Now these may have some value, but I’ve grown up always wanting to see the best in things. I also have grown up enjoying occasional shopping at the mall and eating fast food when I’m in a rush. Sometimes, it’s hard not to feel guilty for supporting chain stores due to all the negatives being passed around. This article by Postrel shed light on the positives of chain stores within the United States. These stores are comfortable to American citizens, they’ve proven themselves time and time again. When people make a move from one side of the country to the other, they know that they will be able to find a Starbucks there or a Wal-Mart there that can ease their transition; it’s like having a little piece of familiarity no matter where you go. Postrel also argues the point that it’s not the stores or restaurants that make a community, it’s the memories and the climate and the scenery. People focus too much on the brands that spatter the buildings when all they have to do is look at the people around them. While I will admit that their are negatives that come with chain stores here in America, I am glad that someone took the time to point out that there is so much more to a community than the brands that are within them.