Mom and pop's last stand

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Summer Wildcat Ryan Chirnomas

Tucson. It's a hell of a town. And over the last two years, I've grown to love it. Sure, the Old Pueblo has its faults, like any town. Say, the total lack of freeways or the extraordinary number of potholes, for starters. But once you get past Tucson's rough exterior, there's a beautiful town deep within. The city has a rich culture, the amazing Catalina Mountains, and the most beautiful sunsets this side of a Bob Ross painting. Coming from Phoenix (or if you prefer, Los Angeles - Part Deux), these things were all very foreign to me.

Another thing very foreign to me was the amazing number of small, independent businesses. In a sense, Tucson is the final frontier of anti-corporatism. With the exception of the polished and packaged Catalina Foothills area, nearly all of Tucson's streets are lined with "mom and pop" stores.

But it appears that the days of such stores are numbered. Last month, The Black Bean Burrito Company closed its doors forever. Left behind is vacant building and a blanked-out sign, with the scribbled words "Bring back the Black Bean!" written in magic marker by a former customer. I even heard a rumor that some nutcases dressed up as human burritos and picketed with signs reading "Bring back the Bean!" late one summer night. Now that's loyalty. Of course, it was just a rumor.

Sure, shopping at a corporate chain has its benefits. They're easy to find. Rather than advertising by word-of-mouth, they broadcast to millions of zombies in TV land. You have the peace of mind that they'll probably be around for awhile. You can travel anywhere from Toledo to Tulsa and find the same menu or the same merchandise. The snazzy logo and familiar name soothe your apprehensive and cautious soul.

Local businesses aren't quite so flashy. No big budget Super Bowl commercials with talking Chihuahuas or characters from Disney's latest venture. No brightly colored uniforms with a carefully crafted logo designed by a public relations committee. No snappy slogan plastered on the side of a NASCAR stock car.

Nope, you don't get any of those swell things. Instead, you get the satisfaction of knowing that your dollar is supporting Tucson, and will be recirculated in Tucson's economy. You also may even get a bit more friendly service. Real smiles, and "thank-yous" that mean something, rather than an insincere and indifferent acknowledgment dictated by the corporation's training video.

So, you're convinced. I've managed to persuade you into being a community-minded consumer, but you don't know where to start. You're so used to shopping at The Gap that you hardly remember what life without nametags is like. No problem.

A few suggestions. Looking for the newest CD from your favorite artist? Skip the glitzy and overpriced Best Buy, and hit a hip store like Zia's, Zip's, or PDQ. Dying for some quick and cheap Mexican food? Don't make a "run for the border," head over to Nico's on Campbell. Looking for a hip place to grab a cup of coffee and relax? Drive right on by Coffee Plantation or Starbucks and drop by Cafe Paraiso or Coffee X-Change. Craving a nice Italian dinner? Forget Olive Garden and visit Donato's or Caruso's.

But don't take it from me. Discover Tucson for yourself. Explore your town, and you'll find dozens of nice shops and restaurants run by nice people. These nice people need you. They need your patronage and your support. And most of all, they need to tell your friends about them.

Like all of America, Tucson is in a desperate battle for its commercial independence. You, the consumer, are the soldier. Your wallet is your only weapon. Spend wisely.

Ryan Chirnomas is a molecular and cellular biology junior.