L E T T E R S
SHOP LOCALLY

To the editor:

The glaring foolishness in Grant Sanders column of February 21 was matched only by its selfishness and hypocrisy. Mr. Sanders advocates that Nantucketers buy goods from Home Depot, Target and other off-island stores because their prices are lower than the local shops that he chose to unfairly vilify. His exception to this suggestion was that people should still patronize local stores owned by his friends or his family.

Our small independent stores do generally charge more than large national chains - no big surprise. This is because they have lower purchasing power, sell lower volume, but have higher overhead, like shipping, rent, labor, and other costs. No "mom & pop" store is ever going to compete with a Fortune 500 company based on price, and it is absurd to criticize them for failing to do so. However, besides the convenience of buying locally without a flight or boat trip, there are many benefits that make it economically worthwhile: 1) locally owned stores pay taxes here and spend their money here instead of sending your cash to faraway corporate headquarters and their shareholders; 2) local businesses employ members of our community (and now often provide them with housing or similar subsidies), which is more money that will be spent and taxed locally; 3) local businesses support local charities and organizations; 4) local businesses provide hometown service and cater to local needs; and 5) local businesses keep the character of Nantucket unique. Study after study shows that buying at local stores benefits a community far more than the immediate gratification of saving a buck by schlepping far away to buy out of town. Not to mention that big box corporate predators are notorious for raising their prices and cutting services once they have killed off local competition.

I am not saying that I spend every dime locally, or that everyone should, but no one should criticize our local independent merchants for having high prices that reflect the realities of doing business here. Apparently Mr. Sanders is not hindered by such understandings or appreciations.

What is truly baffling is that Mr. Sanders sponsored a Warrant Article at the last Town Meeting to restrict large box stores from opening on the island, and one of the local proprietors he recommends sponsored a Warrant Article to ban chain-stores from opening in the downtown area. Apparently now he thinks we will find salvation at Wal-Mart, or at least the privileged people who have the time and money to go off island will.

To say that Mr. Sanders owes an apology is an understatement.

- Steven Cohen