There is one thing that seems to have stuck pretty solidly, even with many newcomers. Although there certainly are a few Walmarts and etc around in New England, it turns out New England as a whole has the fewest large chain stores per capita in the entire United States. Why?
1) Townspeople in NE tend to stay better informed, and so are more likely to refuse a business lisence to a business that might 'ruin' their town. Vermont is partucularly like this. 2) New Englanders like to do business with someone they know. They'd rather spend a few more dollars with Ned at the Hardware store than buy cut rate products at Lowes. This belies the whole 'frugal' thing, but a Yankee would say to that "Ned is always there. If I have trouble, He'll fix it right up for me. I'll have that tool for 20 years!"
Yeah, we still have Home Depot and Lowes around, but I and my neighbors seem to shop locally more often than not, and it keeps the cottage businesses alive, at least on Cape Ann.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2006-03-01 01:47 am (UTC)1) Townspeople in NE tend to stay better informed, and so are more likely to refuse a business lisence to a business that might 'ruin' their town. Vermont is partucularly like this.
2) New Englanders like to do business with someone they know. They'd rather spend a few more dollars with Ned at the Hardware store than buy cut rate products at Lowes. This belies the whole 'frugal' thing, but a Yankee would say to that "Ned is always there. If I have trouble, He'll fix it right up for me. I'll have that tool for 20 years!"
Yeah, we still have Home Depot and Lowes around, but I and my neighbors seem to shop locally more often than not, and it keeps the cottage businesses alive, at least on Cape Ann.