How the Unsung Heroes of the American Economy Are Surviving and Thriving
by Robert Spector
Critics' Opinion:
Readers' rating:
Published Sep 2009
304 pages
Genre: History, Current Affairs and Religion
Publication Information
Business journalist Robert Spector grew up working in his family's butcher shop in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, where he learned invaluable lessons about the independent retail business—and about life. Mom & pop stores have always brought people together, fostering a sense of neighborhood identity and camaraderie, and are the glue that connects people in big cities and small towns alike.
Long fascinated by the "direct connection" people feel as merchants and customers when they do business in neighborhood shops, and responding to the growing "buy local" movement across the country, Spector sets out to discover the state, and the state of mind, of independent retailing in America. From a specialty soda pop shop in Los Angeles to a florist shop in Dayton, Ohio, from a bakery in Chicago to a bookstore in Bellingham, Washington, mom & pop store owners shared their stories with him, revealing the spirit and tenacity of the small business owner, dealing with frustration and defeat as well as triumph and success. Spector also interweaves the history of independent retailing. The Mom & Pop Store reflects the story of this country, for it embraces and cross-references every ethnic group and virtually every element of our society.
"Cheerful and charming, this is a heartfelt look at life on 'the other side of the counter." - Publishers Weekly
"Lively lessons about business ethics and practices that Fortune 500 companies, the author suggests, would be wise to follow." - Kirkus Reviews
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Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Robert Spector is author of The Nordstrom Way, The Nordstrom Way to Customer Service Excellence, Amazon. Com: Get Big Fast, and Category Killers. He has appeared on C NN, C NBC, ABC, Fox News, PBS, Bloomberg Business, NPR’s Marketplace Report, and numerous other radio shows, and has written on business for the Wall Street Journal and USA Today. He lives in Seattle. Visit his Web site at www.robertspector.com.
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