Enough about "mom and pops" stores already. Nobody wants to go back to them. The big chains are able to supply a diverse amount of goods at reasonable prices through their efficiencies and economy of scale.
People like to think "mom and pop" shops are Norman Rockwell. Like what they see on the Walton's TV show. Well it was never like that. When people used to rely on these stores, they had a crappy selection to choose from and paid a higher price.
Service wasn't all that great either. Chances were, you'd walk into one of those stores and the owner's 15-year-old kid would be out in the back reading comic books. The father would be in the aisles, stacking cans of tomato paste or something. The mother would be at the register doing a crossword puzzle and scowling at you the whole time.
If you needed something that you couldn't find, you'd get a laconic shrug of the shoulders and an "Ain't got that, gonna hafta special order it, I can have it here week from Thursday but you gonna hafta pay extra and all."
Good riddance all you mom and pops.
You can have your thoughts and opinions and I can disagree.