"Swaps" to support local businesses -- because, DEATH TO CHAINS.

In terms of size, there are no useful analogies between the nation's capital and New Albany. We're obviously far smaller, but I like the spirit of this piece, which is transferable to our town in one specific instance.

Chain Reaction: Make These Five Swaps to Support Local Businesses, by Laura Hayes (Washington City Paper)

Next time you’re standing in front of a chain eatery that serves the cuisine you’re craving, consider walking a few blocks farther to find the locally owned version. It may be more important than ever to open your wallet at small, District-born businesses ...

An example of the formatting:

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen (3200 Bladensburg Road NE) ---> Mason Dixie Biscuit Company (2301 Bladensburg Road NE)

Walk or drive 0.9 miles.

Popeyes has history on its side. The chain was born 45 years ago in New Orleans and now has 2,600 restaurants in the U.S. and around the world. But local fried chicken and biscuit slinger Mason Dixie Biscuit Company has some accolades of its own, including winning “Best Biscuit in America, Critic’s Choice” at the 2015 International Biscuit Festival. Its classic fried chicken thigh sandwich is made from hormone-free chicken.

The specific instance I have in mind is downtown's proximity to the clustermuck of State Street chains -- with more on the way courtesy of Jeff Gahan's tacky Summit Springs corporate advancement development.

To be sure, there are a few legitimate indies along the State Street corridor, including Tucker's, Bridge Liquors and Green Tea Chinese.

But note that the distance between Bob Evans on State and Toast on Market is exactly two miles, and between Home Depot and PC Home Center even less.

Our experience in New Albany with independent business advocacy has not been favorable. I'd suggest very strongly that business owners may wish to reconsider the merits of unity in this regard, especially with the next Sherman Minton Bridge closing less than four years away.

This time we know when the bridge is to be closed, and can prepare an advancement of "togetherness" indie consciousness in advance -- or, conversely, flail valiantly all alone.

It's our choice.