The experiences recounted in the Journal-World’s Sunday business section of owners of several local restaurants is a reminder of both the special problems and the special rewards of being an independent business owner.

In the last several years, Lawrence has welcomed a number of national chain stores to its business community. These businesses add to the variety of merchandise available to local shoppers, but they also have raised protests from some people who are concerned that the newcomers will have a negative impact on existing, especially home-owned, businesses.

Restaurant owners, of course, have been dealing with that kind of competition for a long time. Ever since national chains like McDonald’s started advertising 19-cent hamburgers, local restaurant owners have had to work a little harder to hang onto their local customers.

For Duane Buck, the owner of Bucky’s Drive-in, 2120 W. Ninth St., that meant being able to make it “fast and hot.” That’s fast service and a hot hamburger. That’s much the same goal as many national chain restaurants, but Bucky’s took over a former fast-food location and has met that competition and survived since 1975.

Other local owners noted that running a restaurant is a matter of long hours and being willing to change with the times. And of course, there’s customer service, the ability to treat people in a way that turns them into loyal return customers.

The secrets to the success of the long-term restaurant owners interviewed for Sunday’s article come as no surprise to the owners of any business. Responding to customers and staying current are important to any business operation.

But it also shows that although there is room in the retail arena for chain stores and restaurants, there’s also a demand for entrepreneurs who can offer a one-of-a-kind shopping or eating experience that keeps customers coming back. Lawrence has a number of such establishments that are a valued part of our downtown and other retail areas.

Lawrence residents no longer have to travel to Topeka or Kansas City to shop at some of the major chain stores they enjoy, but residents of Topeka and Kansas City still have to come to Lawrence to enjoy a whole crop of unique shops and restaurants that only exist here.

Those independent businesses and the contribution they make to the local retail scene are something local customers should value and support.