I doubt Target is going anywhere. I won't set foot in a Walmart and I don't think I ever get out of Target without spending $50. If anything, they will just stop building them on every corner. Our housing growth has stalled and our community was hoping to get a Target but that won't happen now because there is one in every surrounding community. I have 3 Targets within 20 minutes of me. We just all have to be careful to support small businesses. Yes I buy my paper towels and TP and Ziplock bags at Target but I try to visit the local stores as much as I can for whatever they offer rather than shopping at the big box stores. I try to go to the local quilt shop rather than Jo-Ann's. I try to go to independent restaurants rather than corporate chains. That sort of thing. If everyone made an effort to do that we would have stronger communities rather than a bunch of big box stores paying $9/hr.
As far as Mervyn's, I think that in a down economy companies that were barely getting by are going to be weeded out. Target already dumped Marshall Field's. I'm not a fan of department stores to begin with and around here we have what they call "lifestyle centers" which are basically outdoor malls without department stores as anchors. They have the mall stores like Gap and Crate & Barrel mixed in with some independents and some restaurants. You park in front of the store you want to go to and save HOURS you would otherwise spend going to the mall. I get overwhelmed by the big stores. It's sad that they are closing and I'm sure it's due to the economy but it's also due to a change in shopping habits. If more people become conscious of where they shop (and where their products come from) things will improve. Sometimes people only care about saving a buck and not what impact their money has. When times are tight it's important to cut back but it's just as important to spend what money you do have at your local small businesses. If we don't, all that will be left is WalMart. |