Mom-and-Pop Stores and the Economic Crisis

Steve Scher
09/23/2009 at 10:00 a.m.

Main Street has been hit hard by the economic crisis. Many businesses have closed, and storefronts sit vacant. Sales tax receipts are at their lowest in 50 years. But economic journalist Robert Spector says the mom and pop stores have been faring better than we might think. What keeps small, local stores thriving in tough economic times? Why is it important to have independently owned businesses?

Plus, a conversation on the week's news in Canada from our Canadian correspondent, Vaughn Palmer.

Guest(s)

Robert Spector is a business journalist and the author of numerous books including "The Nordstrom Way." His latest book is "The Mom and Pop store: How the Unsung Heroes of the American Economy are Surviving and Thriving."

Vaughn Palmer is a political correspondent for the Vancouver Sun.