Return of the Small business??
 

Might be a headline coming up for a future WSJ or Time article.

What I see is a grass roots up-comeance of mom and pop's catering to old values. Not your tax write off boutique for the not-so-busy spouse opened for amusement, but real deal old fashioned, time honored, customer friendly, neighborly close enterprises. In our mid-urban neighborhood, which is defined by historic preservation status as well as demographics, two such businesses have arrived and seem well off, whereas the computer repair guy didn't last.

What are they? Well, a small hardware store not a mile from the Home Defect and small grocery market with some specialties, but mostly fresh quality. And you know there are chain store super markets all around to choose from.

What's happening around you?

You're absolutely right, Milt. While I was still with the dairy, I had this conversation with a number of my customers. When businesses around you get bigger and aimed more toward the mass market, the only way to survive is to adjust your sights on a niche market. If there is enought population around, you'll be able to make a living.
IF: a/ you choose wisely, and
b/ you're agile.
Sooner or later the big guy will re-evaluate the market to see if it is cost effective for him to penetrate your market. By then, you should be prepared to develope another niche.
Specialized stuff, custom stuff, personal stuff or yes, even 'boutique-style' constructions, (I'm thinking of the steel 'tree branch' one of our members made for a neighbor's kitchen.) will allow it to happen.
Les

I'd rather go to the local hardware store to buy a hose clamp than go to HD, walk half a mile, and stand in line for 5 mins.

I'll bet it also has to do with the demographic of your neighbourhood. I see these service-first places do well in upscale areas where price is not the sole deciding factor. In lower income 'hoods it's hard to find a parking space at Walmart.

Down the street from my business there is a gentrified 'hood whose density has tripled due to cond/highrise projects and these service oriented businesses are getting some traction there. I think it is tied to education and income. These high density 'hoods don't have any room for big box stores either. These areas are a function of good urban planning, something Vancouver has lacked in the past.