Personally, I like to support the mom and pop shops because the people tend to be friendlier. It’s easier to get to know the owners and the workers. They also tend to have a more interesting selection of whatever they sell than a larger store. Mom and pop shops also tend to treat their workers better and all the money they make is staying in the community as opposed to the chains which can put money from their stores anywhere. Also, a big chain isn’t going to know what it’s local stores need the same way that a mom and pop shop will. Also, if you avoid a chain store, you’re not putting the company out of business. If you avoid a mom and pop business, that’s putting a whole store out of business.