This page was last updated on February 23, 2012.
Save family-owned businesses; Chris Houser; Beaver County Times; February 22, 2012.
Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.
“In response to the Feb. 9 article ‘Facebook fans backing local doughnut shop,’ here is another instance of big business moving in to try to drive the family-owned business out of business.
“Yes, competition is good, but these big businesses come into these small communities with their large financial and marketing backing and undercut the prices of the family-owned businesses and drive them out of business. Soon after that, they raise their prices, and then the consumer ends up paying more for the products then they were before.”
[RWC] I know this is a popular urban legend, but is it true? More specifically, is there credible evidence Dunkin’ Donuts operates this way? That said, we should not be surprised if Dunkin’ Donuts has some start-up specials to garner attention as would any new business.
“I get tired of driving through these small communities that once thrived and seeing boarded-up vacant buildings.
“In this era, social media is a great way of getting people to rally around a cause, so I am glad to see people are taking to social media to rally around Mac’s to try to save an endangered species, the family-owned business, from becoming extinct.
“I hope this is enough to keep another family-owned business that has been passed down from previous generations from the same fate as many others in this country.”
[RWC] Breezy’s Pizza continues to succeed with a Pizza Hut literally next door and a Papa John’s only five doors down Brodhead Road. Let’s also remember Pete’s/Hometown Apothecary in New Brighton, with a Rite-Aid several doors down Third Avenue. I have little doubt Mac’s will continue to be successful, with or without Dunkin’ Donuts down the street. If Mac’s ever goes out of business, it won’t be because of DD. I like DD, but it’s no Mac’s.
© 2004-2012 Robert W. Cox, all rights reserved.