Starbucks and generic strip malls? No, thanks.

I hate what franchising did to America (especially rural America), homogenising towns so that they all look the same: one long single-story strip mall of Subway-McDonalds-Burger King-Starbucks, repeat. Capitalism strips away the idiosyncrasies of a place, killing small businesses and replacing them with huge profit-seeking corporations.

While the battle is all but lost in the States, here in Perth it’s looking brighter. Sure, franchises like Dome, Chicken Treat and Coles are spattered all around the city. But in small urban communities around Perth, a large number of independent businesses seem to thrive. Claremont’s new supermarket Jack’s Wholefoods and Groceries is wildly successful despite opening 200 meters from Coles, while Lane Bookshop thrives just doors down from the retail monster Dymocks. McDonalds wouldn’t dare move into Leederville to compete with Jus Burgers. Starbucks hasn’t stepped foot in Perth. And why would it, with awesome cafes like East Fremantle’s Hubble’s Yard, Nedland’s Feast and South Fremantle’s Aubergine Gourmet Foods loved by their loyal customers?

So why is this? I guess the idea of small, independent businesses appeals more to Perthites. They like meeting the actual business owners and supporting local business. Or maybe they’ve visited rural America and didn’t like what they saw. Any thoughts?

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