Local Businesses

This is largely a response to an article (found at http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/38564377.html) written by Karen Cinpinski about the recent loss of Harry Schwartz bookstores. Everyone is feeling the effects of the downward-spiraling economy, but should the people really force local businesses into closing their doors because a book or service can be found for a dollar cheaper? Most local businesses are founded on a desire and passion for something, whether it be to broaden young minds with books, or to serve the best cup of coffee possible. It really took something for local business owners to go against the odds and open a business that had a chance of failing even in a good economy.
Try to imagine cities without the small, cozy local businesses. Downtown Waukesha would not be the same if those one-of-a-kind coffee shops disappeared along with the bookstores and offices of local people who depend on local people to shop there. Harry Schwartz is a loss to everyone who knew the kind of service they gave, but let's use this as an example and not let the economy take away the character of our cities: the small local businesses.