Use of the word “necessary” was my slip up, as Scott noted. My only real contention was that more of the elements of charity exist in community relationships than in the more impersonal world outside it’s borders.

I just wonder what people (myself included) are promoting when we say “Buy Local!” or put it on a bumper sticker. Isn’t there an element of charity to that?

But, you are quite right…no level of benevolence can save a bad business. The one’s that survive year in and out in our town do so because they provide additional value of some kind.

I don’t doubt that some small segment of people shop locally as a charitable act, but I’d steer clear of suggesting it’s necessary in buying local. Plenty of local retailers (all the best ones, really) have proven otherwise.

For example, Little Shop of Stories. You might pay more for a book there, but there’s better service, better knowledge, friendlier staff, and better recommendations that justify the price. No one shops at Little Shop to be charitable. They do it because it’s superior, and a huge percentage of people shop on overall value, not just price.

Suggesting charity is required for local business to survive ultimately enables failed business models. Local businesses need to justify higher prices by beating the chains in other ways — service, knowledge, friendliness, flexibility, uniqueness, attention to detail, etc. etc. If you look at Decatur’s most successful enterprises, they’re doing this. If you look at the places that tank, in most cases they weren’t.