Where Did Mom and Pop Go?

Mom and Pop stores seemed to crop up in the 1950s as a true staple of entrepreneurship.

They were little local businesses normally owned by family members, and they tended to have only one location.

Mom and Pop stores weren’t large marketplaces.

They had few employees and limited products, but this is what made them unique.

“Run down to the corner and ask Mr. Barnes for a loaf of his finest sourdough bread, the one that makes your heart sing, and a quart of that creamy milk that makes every morning special.

…..and don’t forget to tell him to put it on our tab.”

This was the kind of heartfelt request that a mother might have passionately uttered to her child in the 1950s.

She would’ve been talking about having one of her children go down the street to the local Mom and Pop store

The Advantages of the Mom and Pop Stores

Every town was characterized by its unique Mom and Pop stores, which formed the vibrant heart of the community.

These intimate shops, often family-run for generations, were more than just places to buy goods; they were the lifeblood of the neighborhoods they served.

The owners and employees, deeply rooted in the community, offered a personalized touch that larger corporations simply couldn’t replicate.

As customers walked through the doors of these quaint establishments, they were welcomed with warm smiles and familiar greetings.

Conversations flowed easily, with shopkeepers remembering names and orders, creating strong relationships that often extended beyond the business transaction.

This bustling interaction made each visit feel like a reunion rather than a routine errand.

The variety of products offered was also unique to each store, filled with local crafts, homemade goods, and specialty items that reflected the culture and traditions of the area.

Shoppers often found themselves discovering one-of-a-kind treasures that could not be found elsewhere, making each purchase special.

Moreover, these stores served as gathering places, where community events, classes, and workshops took place.

They fostered a sense of belonging and connection, playing a critical role in maintaining the social fabric of the town.

In essence, Mom and Pop stores were not just retail outlets; they were cherished institutions that helped shape the identity of their communities, creating an atmosphere that felt like home.

These stores felt cozy because they were small and locally decorated.

They carried local products which people in the area could truly appreciate.

These shops were also very unique which is one reason why people tended to go for Sunday drives.

Mom and Pop Stores Scenery

They traveled from various towns, enjoying the scenery while observing unique storefronts that reflected local culture and community.

Unlike today’s uniform chain stores, these shops offered character and nostalgia through quaint boutiques and family-owned businesses, showcasing individuality and a connection to the past.

Disadvantages of the Mom and Pop Stores

The disadvantages of the Mom and Pop is that they only had single store locations. If you liked the products you got from your store at home you might not be able to find those same items in a store when you were away from home.

Another disadvantage is the limited amount of products that these shops were able to carry. Today, in the big box stores there is a big variety, and therefore, a large selection of items.

Mom and Pop stores often have higher prices compared to big box stores because they cannot buy in bulk and miss out on bulk discounts.

Their limited selection is due to their ability to order fewer items and the constrained space available for displaying and storing products.

Are Mom and Pop Stores Making a Comeback?

Today the idea of the smaller, more personalized store is coming back into style, yet they’re coming back in a different way than the Mom and Pop shops of yesteryear.

In the past few decades large box stores such as Walmart have been the places to go.

Walmart has been known for “having everything you could want under one roof” at very reasonable prices.

Who could want anything else?

It’s true, these monster stores are very successful, but in recent days life has become more and more about convenience and saving time.

This is why certain store chains such as Dollar Tree or Family Dollar have begun to be more popular.

Not only do they offer a wide variety of products just like stores like Walmart, but they offer these products at reasonable prices as well.

Mom and Pop Stores: What Do They Know That the Big Box Stores Do Not?

What these chains have discovered is that people today like the convenience of being able to park close to the door.

They don’t like having to fight large crowds, and not have a large store to walk through or 10 brands of one particular item to sift through

Furthermore, as a matter of convenience, these chains have decided it is more advantageous to open many small stores as opposed to a few larger stores.

By doing it this way there is a better chance of having one of their small stores be “just down the street” from almost everyone in a given neighborhood.

This also gives these stores more of a feel of being like an old time Mom and Pop shop.

The other thing they have found is they can duplicate the feel of a Mom and Pop because since they are small they also have fewer employees, This means that if you are to frequent this establishment you may find that you get to know “the guy behind the counter” or “the woman who stocks the shelves”.

Better yet, they may get to know who you are. Even when they don’t know who you are, it has become standard policy in many of these businesses to greet you when you come in the door and even to say goodbye when you leave.

The Return of the Town Center

An interesting thing that is happening today because of the development of these small store chains is that there appears to be a resurgence of the old town center.

In many areas of different communities you’ll have an intersection where a few busy streets come together.

In recent years some of these small community chain stores have begun to accumulate at these intersections.

Stores like Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, Pop Shelf, along with hair and nail salons, pet grooming shops, banks, pizza places, ice cream and bagel shops and coffee bars all come together here and make up these new town centers.

How are Big Box Stores Like Walmart Fighting Back?

Interestingly, Walmart has begun to feel the pressure to follow suit.

In recent years the Walmart Corporation has been starting to open smaller, more personal stores like “ The Neighborhood Walmart” which primarily sells groceries.

The Mom and Pops of Yesterday

Where Are They Now?

In 1971, 2 men by the names of Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight started a small company that made running shoes. In 2018 that company grossed $36.4 billion. That company is NIKE.

In 1978 two men took $8000 of their own money and took out a loan for $4000.

They spent $5 on a correspondence course in ice cream making which they took through Penn State.

Then they opened their tiny ice cream business in Vermont.

Today they make 400 pints of ice cream every minute each day. These 2 men were Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield and the company is BEN & JERRY’S.

In 1950 a young man from Bentonville, Arkansas opened a small 5 and dime store.

In 1962 he opened a slightly bigger store and vowed to build this store on “lower prices and better service”.

The store made $75,000 in 1951. In 2019 the Corporation grossed $514.4 billion.

The man’s name was Sam Walton and the store is Walmart.

In 1971 this man was part of a grass roots start-up operation of a new wave of coffee shops that would soon become a phenomenon that would sweep the entire nation and then the world.

It all started in Seattle. 30 years later there are now 30,000 of these coffee shops sprinkled throughout the country. The man’s name was Howard Schultz. The company is STARBUCKS.

In 1969 a young boy was given some crayons by his mother for Christmas. He took the Crayons and created a scented candle from them. When he grew up he opened a small candle shop in Holyoke, Massachusetts.

Today there are 260 of these small-box format Candle stores throughout the country. The man was Michael Kittridge. The company is THE YANKEE CANDLE CO.

Small Business Value

Mom and pop stores, despite their small beginnings, play a crucial role in our communities by offering unique products and personalized experiences.

They bolster local economies by reinvesting money into the community, supporting jobs, and often adopting sustainable practices.

However, many have faced closures due to the financial impact of COVID-19.

By supporting these businesses, especially during events like “Small Business Saturday,” we can help them thrive.

Next time you’re shopping, consider visiting a mom and pop store to discover their offerings and contribute to your local economy.