Letter: Buyer’s choice

To the editor:

Years ago, before I moved to Lawrence, one of the things that attracted me to the area was the many fine independent bookstores. I am told, not that many years ago there were seven music stores downtown; now there’s one. I do realize it’s technology and changing times.

I have done my share of shopping online for books, CD’s and everything else. My son told me an idea I have since adopted. He finds a product, let’s say a book, online, then he goes to the local store and orders it! The cost turns out to be about the same, the difference is he is supporting a local job and contributing to the local economy.

Actions have consequences. Do we want a world of a few big box stores and a handful of online sites selecting our products and becoming our total shopping experience? Or would we rather interact with interesting local people selling things in settings that allow us to browse and maybe discover other things we would have never seen in the online environment while helping support our community?

Your dollar is your vote on what kind of shopping experience you want. Do you want your dollar to support some big out-of-state corporation or would you rather support our local tax base and folks who are our friends and relatives. Your choice.