tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455712904694318171.post2218247914064487614..comments2023-10-12T08:03:18.015-05:00Comments on Diary of a Technophobe: Bridging the generations with shoppingPoindexterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02754293708567921996noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455712904694318171.post-29316035113080355422010-05-13T04:02:17.000-05:002010-05-13T04:02:17.000-05:00This is very much the case in the UK too. The bigg...This is very much the case in the UK too. The bigger towns are now all full of charity shops becuase the rates are so high that no-one else can afford them. On-line shops and retail parks are the norm now. Thankfully where I live is a very small town and is still well supported for the local shops but perhaps this is because we have so many tourists, it is a medieval town with a lot of black and white buildings.<br />I try to support local business as much as I can...interesting that it is a similar position elsewhere.Poindexterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02754293708567921996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455712904694318171.post-22798871939518398992010-05-10T21:44:28.000-05:002010-05-10T21:44:28.000-05:00I have seen the same in our neighborhood as well. ...I have seen the same in our neighborhood as well. So many shops are closing down, it's feeling like a ghost town. The chamber of commerce sent out letters reminding village residents that part of the charm to old towns are the shops and stressing the importance of supporting local vendors noting that $50 per family per month could not only keep businesses in operation, but they could thrive. I didn't always think of that before but now when I'm getting coffee or meeting clients for lunch, I try to stay local...Poindexterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02754293708567921996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455712904694318171.post-73111109238556784072010-05-10T21:43:54.000-05:002010-05-10T21:43:54.000-05:00I have seen the same in our neighborhood as well. ...I have seen the same in our neighborhood as well. So many shops are closing down, it's feeling like a ghost town. The chamber of commerce sent out letters reminding village residents that part of the charm to old towns are the shops and stressing the importance of supporting local vendors noting that $50 per family per month could not only keep businesses in operation, but they could thrive. I didn't always think of that before but now when I'm getting coffee or meeting clients for lunch, I try to stay local...Poindexterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02754293708567921996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455712904694318171.post-70472122255044534792010-05-09T19:36:29.000-05:002010-05-09T19:36:29.000-05:00We're seeing this here too. Things are startin...We're seeing this here too. Things are starting to improve economically, but then again, some effects are taking a while to be completely revealed. I hate it. Small businesses have driven our economy. I try to shop at them instead of big box retailers whenever I can. They usually have much better stuff too!Poindexterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02754293708567921996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455712904694318171.post-38804316187511614582010-05-09T17:32:47.000-05:002010-05-09T17:32:47.000-05:00You see, this is very much like when the bar I wen...You see, this is very much like when the bar I went to closed down. Doesn't it just hurt? I feel your pain.Poindexterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02754293708567921996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455712904694318171.post-47390120999091858562010-05-09T09:09:52.000-05:002010-05-09T09:09:52.000-05:00Sad, but it's happening everywhere. The boutiq...Sad, but it's happening everywhere. The boutiques around here are clsing left and right. I remember a few really lovely boutiques in theoutskirts of Charsleston, SC. Now, in Lexington, VA the boutiques seem to thrive in their rich historical district.Poindexterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02754293708567921996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455712904694318171.post-612476477316667172010-05-08T00:37:46.000-05:002010-05-08T00:37:46.000-05:00This makes me so sad. Hopefully, it's a phase,...This makes me so sad. Hopefully, it's a phase, but I fear not.Poindexterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02754293708567921996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455712904694318171.post-74718653115945609842010-05-07T20:37:25.000-05:002010-05-07T20:37:25.000-05:00Talked with someone in a major department store re...Talked with someone in a major department store recently who said they were barely making payroll. There's no doubt the greedy bastards on Wall St. and their thieving elected cronies are destroying the foundations of our country. It's time for a clean sweep.Poindexterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02754293708567921996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455712904694318171.post-25857631330440171072010-05-07T20:26:51.000-05:002010-05-07T20:26:51.000-05:00Well, being in retail I can tell you that your obs...Well, being in retail I can tell you that your observations are right on. Even the major department store that I work in is stocking less and less, except right before a holiday because they know that that's the time they'll make their money. <br /><br />And it's true, I see more and more smaller retail stores going out of business every month. Some are just closing, and others are starting online businesses instead. It's cheaper for them to run a business online.<br /><br />I too remember the days when shopping was an "experience."<br /><br />"old fashioned stores that had lovely rugs, served tea while you shopped and had huge powder rooms with soft upholstered furniture."<br /><br />Yup!<br /><br />It's sad that things have changed so drastically.<br /><br />I for one, do no online shopping because for me it takes the whole joy out of shopping.Poindexterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02754293708567921996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455712904694318171.post-15673408502605517382010-05-07T15:14:57.000-05:002010-05-07T15:14:57.000-05:00Hi Alexandra,
thanks for visiting here again. yes...Hi Alexandra,<br />thanks for visiting here again. yes, I know i've been aware of a slow departure of privately owned retail stores for a couple of decades now and with only this tiny handful remaining that are now closing, it seems the last one has turned out their lights. And I fear that I have contributed to the problem because i find online shopping so convenient.Poindexterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02754293708567921996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455712904694318171.post-29339826563329738762010-05-07T11:21:31.000-05:002010-05-07T11:21:31.000-05:00I think there is a fundimental shift in the econom...I think there is a fundimental shift in the economy due to the events of the past 10 years. Basically, the middle class, the people that shop at these stores, no longer exist. There is still the super rich, and now there is the 'lower' middle class. I have some friends that would be considered squarely in the middle of the economic spectrum. Two careers, no kids, empty nesters with an upside down house in the burbs. They recently told me that they were doing away with cable television, after having premium cable for the past 20 years. Counldn't afford it anymore. When the middle class can no longer afford something was considered a 'given' and a necessity of modern life, you know something has fundimentally changed. We making the transition to an on-line world, where all the products are made in China and India......and I am less than thrilled about it.Poindexterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02754293708567921996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5455712904694318171.post-29929423726079876082010-05-07T11:04:33.000-05:002010-05-07T11:04:33.000-05:00You're definitely right about this. The boutiq...You're definitely right about this. The boutiques are disappearing from our small tourist town, too. It's sad, b/c it's not the same at all....Poindexterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02754293708567921996noreply@blogger.com