"Don't Let The Independent Businesses Fade From Your Town"

They say that by the age of 6 a child can recognize 100 corporate logos. If this is true it's terribly sad, for it reiterates the fact that to the familiar brands, colors and signs the public will gravitate. Here in my town landlords can charge much higher rents to chain stores and I've yet to meet one who would turn down additional income simply to keep a locally owned tradition around - yet these are the people who were built by the tenants they're now seeking to get rid of.

Do you remember seeing the original Wizard of Oz movie, where it begins in black and white and then switches into color? That's how I see local communities sometimes - but in reverse. The thriving, vibrant palette of shades created by diversity and uniqueness could, one day, friends - perhaps a day not too far off - fade to just shadows of black and white. Your local businesses aren't "cute" or "quaint" or "adorable". They are what once upon a time, made a place into a community.

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