Shopping in Chicago. Or is it Seattle? Who Can Tell???

While shopping for Christmas in sweet home Chicagoland this year, I really started to think about how homogenous our country has become. And how it's not really such a great thing. If I had not experienced the 4 hour flight between Seattle and Chicago, and instead just somehow ended up back here without knowing it, walking in to one of the many Chicagoland malls would offer no clues as to where I was. The stores are all the same! Target in every town around here, Barnes and Noble, Starbucks... the stores are all the same! Even one of my favorite restaurants when we lived here - Maggiano's - has migrated to Seattle. One of the stores I like to visit in Seattle is Guitar Center. I thought that was a one of a kind store. No such thing - they have one here! Last month we went and ate at Bucca de Beppo in Seattle (after going to Guitar Center). It was an okay place - as far as Seattle Italian food goes (usually not the best) - but what do you know? There's one of those here too! I was able to get some winter boots at Carson's which is a Chicagoland chain - at least so far it hasn't been purchased or franchised afar. And it really started me thinking - would someone be able to avoid all Corporate-owned national chain stores for some set amount of time? Could that someone be me, for a year??? I told the kids I might try it and they freaked! Who was going to take them to use their Christmas giftcards????!!!!

So, now I need to set my rules. It's my thing after all, so I can do it however I want. I really want to try and avoid corporate stores that have nationalized. Independent franchises don't bother me as much, although they are still not as good as personally owned businesses. I hate Target anyway, so avoiding that place is okay. Ditto for Costco. Michael's and JoAnn's will be tough, but I'll be able to discover boutique yarn shops and also bead shops for Rachel. Bookstores will be challenging. I love Barnes and Noble and Borders, but don't like what they have done to independent booksellers (think "You've Got Mail" here). I really, really love Amazon. Pat's brother helped me rationalize this one by allowing for the fact that they have no brick and mortar stores and have not helped create so much homogeninity (is that even a word?) So, I'm still not sure though... Amazon has definitely damaged many small mom and pop shops but since I'm addicted to books, I might have to make an exception here. Food chains won't be a problem. After reading Fast Food Nation, I generally avoid those places anyway. I might miss Chipotle, but that's it. I really need to get back on my gluten-free health plan, so eating out should probably be avoided. Clothing.... Well, I don't buy a lot of clothes. But, they are usually from Target, Eddie Bauer, Ann Taylor Loft, Nordstrom, JC Penney's - all chains. I thought REI might be safe - but what do you know - they opened one in Oakbrook! Now they have to be out too! So, clothing will take a little more thought. It all sounds kind of challenging and fun though, doesn't it?