Tara Crisan Sweatt

Remember Mom and Pop diners? Cute little places where owners greeted regulars by name and the waitresses tended to have worked there for a decade or more. They knew the menu by heart and called you, “Honey”. If they served breakfast, one often saw a group of retired gentleman drinking coffee, sharing the paper, talking about local news and Pop could usually be found among them.

The older I get, the fewer of these places I see. More numerous have become the big chain restaurants. The buildings are square and nondescript, reflecting none of the character or culture of the community. When connected to other chain business establishments, they form a strip mall. And wherever they are is Anytown, USA.

Please do not misunderstand. Starting a business and have it flourish so is how many would define The American Dream. And I would never disparage hard working successful people who established what would eventually cover the country. Particularly if he or she is Southern, like Sam Walton. Of course, as shocking as it is, I have been accused of regionalism.

But it has been my experience that, in these chain stores, the employees are much younger. They are making pocket money, not a living. Instead of being greeted by our names, we hear corporate mandated phrases: “It’s a great day here at Blanks. Would you like to try our blank?”

It almost sounds robotic.

But they are more cost effective. Buying in massive bulk allows them to charge lower prices and few of those among us do not want to save money where we can. But is it worth a few extra dollars to sacrifice the personal attention from people who care about every customer? Maybe it is only because we are their livelihood. But they care.

Is everybody’s Mom and Pop going to go out of business and all of those nice waitresses out of their jobs? What about the independence of the community? The big chains are all about turnover. I know. I’ve worked at several. Get them in. Get them out. People spending a couple of hours drinking coffee, reading the paper, and shooting the breeze are not welcome. So, there goes another chance for community bonding.

And I am not an economist. I do not even play one on TV. But my job description is to write my observations and opinions. It seems to me that the majority of the profits of the chains go to the major stockholders. Is the logical conclusion not putting the biggest amount of the wealth in the hands of the few? Is that a good thing? I pose these as questions because they are merely my conclusions as well as questions I hope people are asking themselves before they make a decision based on what it costs to save.

This is a personal issue for me because I was raised in the restaurant business. My mother and my eldest sister were as passionate about the food they prepared – unwilling to serve anything below their lofty standards – as daddy was about being an exemplary host … and the only one allowed in the cash register. My other sister and I waited tables. Customer service was drilled in us as early and firmly as table manners. This is a way of doing business that should be supported, not sent the way of the horse and buggy.

Also, as the family’s chief cook and bottle washer, my favorite food is anything I did not have to procure, purchase, and prepare. Dining out is an experience. It should be as pleasant an experience is possible. Which do you prefer?

So, I implore you fellow citizens of our fair city, support your local businesses. Maintain our community’s independence both in economy and culture. Spend a few extra dollars. And honor thy Mom and Pop.