Originally Posted by Happy Feet

Why would you be philosophically opposed to chain stores? I've always considered individual retailers based on their corporate or business philosophies. Some mom and pops care nothing about their communities while some chains have pretty comprehensive public policies. You could say supporting local keeps dollars local but if those dollars just goes to one selfish owner I don't see the "good" in it. Curious what your take is.

The problem on a bike tour is you don't get the same local store everywhere you go so you are really rolling the dice each time you purchase. I like SB's and TH's because the product is known and consistent across the board. I know what I'm getting. Sometimes when I go local I get a really good coffee and sometimes a really bad expensive one.