Shop only from independent shops for 14 days

Starbucks is a cancer that is spreading across every neighborhood in the world. I have seen more than one viable, unique coffeeshop or cafe converted into a Starbucks.

It is not a place to visit or read or think. It is engineered to get you in, get your money and get you out.

It is spreading it’s mediocrity everywhere.

though I never managed to do it for 14 days straight.

Which is the local music and video store that is always playing cool music. The guy who runs Maxwell’s (somewhat famous Hoboken music club) was buying stuff when I was there….

At a place in the village called Porto Rico Coffee…French roast, from Costa Rica. Delish!

the big boxes have excellent prices when we are living on a budget. It is hard to justify paying $3.50 for a pound of tomatoes when you can get them for half that price at a Wal-Mart Super Store. That is twice as much food for our families.

I understand that dilema. There are no easy answers.

for a reminder to stay out of the big box mentality for the Holidays…

which is part of a group that raises money for housing for AIDS patients. It’s a gorgeous store, and I felt great buying books there…

I finally made it two weeks straight. There were a couple of times I had to make an emergency stop at the evilretailoverlord. As of now though, it’s been even more than 14 days shopping only at independent shops.
Finally made it to the local farmer’s market. Got some pasture-raised chicken eggs, homemade bread, and the best blueberry scone I’ve ever had.

On a sadder note:
Wal Mart is planning to build in our little town. It’s not like there’s already one 7 miles down gorram I96…

Am trying to incorporate it into my life, and just thinking about it has changed things. For instance, when I was talking about this goal with someone they told me about this great wet fish stall that comes to my town every Tuesday and that I’d never heard of before, so that’s the day I experiment with something new!

I have this spring rediscovered farmers markets. They are wonderful places. And they don’t sell just vegetables and flowers anymore: there is also fresh fish, meats and canned pickles and relishes too.

Then there is the organic grocery stores. They are great places to buy pantry items by the scoop: flour and cereals, snacks, nuts and spices. No packaging: I shake out and re-use the plastic bags again. Especially, it is very economical to buy a small baggis of spices, enough for just a few recipes - instead a big expensive jar that will go dull before I can use it all. I also like that the organic grocers carry the local farmers meats, eggs and dairy - when I can’t make it to the farmer’s market.

There is a local dairy near where I live – they sell milk at all the local grocery stores in returnable glass bottles. Oh my it tastes good. There is a goat milk dairy that makes cheese. These are all finding their way even into the big grocery stores in the area.

Ditto local breweries.

I can buy brown eggs from a neighbor when she has them.

Hard and soft goods: I can find electronics at a local stereo shop. I can buy clothes from the thrift mall or small catalog companies. I can get books and CD’s from the used book store…. rent or purchase movies from the Video Boothe, instead of Blockbuster….

But when it came to shoes, I just had to go to a big retailer. There is one independant shoe store in town—they carry lots of really beautiful designer high heels. They starting at $180. I laugh: $180 would be cheap in comparison to the cost of the x-rays and physical therapy I’d need if I tried to wear them!!!!!

I don’t eat in chain restaurants unless I am on the road, and I don’t know the area. When I am on my way home to the mountains (a trip I have made a million times), it is easy to stop at Lexington BBQ instead of MacDonalds. But if it is 10PM and I am in unknown territory - I just look for a Burger King or similar. Or, I look for a locally owned Shop Quick and get some yogurt and juice. I stop and ask a local person if I have time at all to find a restaurant off the beaten path. I may eat in a chain restaurant or once every three months - when I do, I order french fries and enjoy my dip into hedonism.

I enjoyed this challenge. It made me think. It also made me appreciate the area where I live. It still has a few farms - and people and grocers that support them. It has a wealth of local restaurants that are good - funky, fancy or inbetween. There is a wonderful selection in used book stores. Thift shops overflowing with designer clothes. There are many festivals and fairs, and good music at “pass the hat” events. The choices are too many to think about for gift buying: art shops, antique stores, craft galleries.

I don’t know how we got to be this way. But it is a good thing. And I live better because of it.