Conservation
Driving through suburbia, where I live, sometimes feels like being in a movie, where the same background loop of film plays over and over. One section of roadway looks the same as the next: the strip malls all have the same stores, and if you go ten miles, you’ll see the same stores flashing by you again: Home Depot, Target, Panera Bread. They are all national chains. The local mom and pop stores are in the minority.
I find myself wondering—who is going to all these stores?
I would guess, the people who live nearby. The sprawling housing developments of the suburbs and ex-burbs draw retailers who want to be close to where their customers live. Because we are a nation of consumers, right? But what if we were to become a nation of conservers?
Even my little neighborhood has a strip mall. The big chains aren’t interested in our mall, it’s too small. We do have a Walgreens, a Dairy Queen and a Pack-N-Mail. But we also have restaurants and shops owned by people who live nearby. Places where we know the owners by name.
I try to patronize the stores in the strip mall, because I want them to stay in business—mostly for my convenience. While I can’t do all my shopping there, I go to the dentist and the eye doctor who are in that mall, take my dog to the vet there as well. I patronize the coffee shop owned by my neighbors. But it goes beyond my convenience. I believe in always going to the same dry-cleaner, the same coffee shop, to build relationships. Because even casual relationships, like the one you have with your coffee barista, are opportunities to show God’s love. And because suburban living can be isolating, I want to combat that by greeting the Pack-N-Mail owner by name when I go in there.
As gas prices continue to climb, there’s another thing I am appreciating about the strip mall. It’s close enough to walk to. So this week, I walked to my dentist appointment. My son and I rode our bikes to Dairy Queen. So I can be a consumer and a conserver at the same time!
Because I live in Chicago, it’s easier to do this during the summer. When it’s 2 degrees out next winter, I may not be so willing to ride my bike to Walgreens. But it’s interesting that I used to go for bike rides for fun or exercise, but now am using my bike for transportation whenever possible.
Are you shopping more locally? Are you driving less? Or are you simply shopping less? When I was growing up, during the “gas crisis” of the 70s, everyone talked about conservation. These days, I mostly hear complaints about prices. How might choosing to conserve help you to not only reduce your “carbon footprint” and save money, but perhaps to understand the plight of the poor?
What do you think?
Posted: July 3rd, 2008 under American Values, Faith.
Comments: 8
Comments
Comment from suzanne eller
Time: July 3, 2008, 8:02 am
With Richard still in school, gas is hurting our budget. We live 45 miles from church, so we travel 90 miles twice (Rihard won’t go just once, another post for another day) and then again on Wednesday because of working with the youth. The cost? We just figured it last week: $180 a month.
Yesterday I had an eye appointment. Another visit to our old community.
We plan to sit down after this week and make changes. I need to find dentists, beauticians, eye doctors, etc. in my new community.
My SUV, which I bought in Dec. 2006 to use to travel to speaking gigs and haul books gets about 19 miles to the gallon, and up to 22 on highway, but that’s not enough at $4 a gallon. Do we trade it in? Oh, wait. The prices have plunged on SUV. Is it possible to even trade it in or sell it?
Richard is biking every morning five miles. I’m saying no to unnecessary trips, if possible. But to be honest, most of the time it’s not possible — baby showers or wedding showers for friends, family events (everybody lives in the old city), etc.
But something has to give — soon.
Comment from Allison
Time: July 3, 2008, 8:05 am
Great post, Keri! It is about relationships, you are spot on! I always ask for the name of my server at a restaurant, and when I patronize Wal-Mart or Office Depot (or wherever) when someone has on a name tag I do my best to call them by name. I know what you mean about wonderring who on earth patronizes all of the stores! I often wonder how can they pay the rent on some of the store locations? Scary. Personally, for someone who is perceived as a fashion conscious diva, the truth is I’m not a big retail shopper. I love consignment stores, yard sales, and thrift stores. You can take the girl out of the projects, but it’s harder to take the projects out of the girl, I guess. 
Comment from Jan @ Bold & Free
Time: July 3, 2008, 10:15 am
Keri,
Though we live in the suburbs, it’s a more rural setting. We’ve transitioned from going into the city for everything to frequenting our local establishments. I love the fact that I know my barrista’s by name and we can chat about family. We were privileged to pray for one of the local restaurant owners when she fell upon hard times. It’s a wonderful sense of community.
Another added benefit, other than saving gas, is that we have more time since we aren’t spending it in the car driving.
Comment from Keri Wyatt Kent
Time: July 3, 2008, 1:35 pm
A number of writers I’ve been reading lately talk about a “theology of place”–that you are where you are because God called you there, put you there. So how can we minister to the people around us?
I think shopping as locally as possible might be connected to that idea, somehow.
i’m still in the pondering stage on it, tho…
Comment from Karla Akins
Time: July 4, 2008, 7:18 am
I ride my motorcycle to help with conservation. I also walk and shop local, too. I want to get up early enough on Saturdays to go to the Farmer’s Market but I always forget! That’s my next step in helping conserve energy and lead a healthier life.
I agree that USA is too matchy-matchy. I don’t like traveling to a far away state and finding the exact same restaurants and store chains. When I travel I want to feel the culture of a different place. If store chains are the American culture, I think that’s sad.
Comment from Eva Marie
Time: July 4, 2008, 11:05 am
I’m definitely not driving as much but I’m not walking anywhere! Then again, I live in Florida. You’re lucky to see me walk to the mailbox and its at the end of my drive. I’m still riding my bike early in the AM tho. At least I can feel the breeze.
Comment from Flea
Time: July 5, 2008, 11:57 pm
I try to plan my trips to be efficient, and I love the smaller shops nearby, but we frequent Home Depot and Lowes for our current home project. No bike riding, though. Ow. Does it count if I make the kids walk to the library?
back to Home
Comment from Tracy
Time: July 3, 2008, 7:30 am
Tim and I discussed all the different shopping strips in the nearby town. So many are deserted, stores moving to the latest-greatest-new strip just a few miles away. The vacated buildings remain empty - for years. It’s really sad.
We live out in the boonies - 12 miles to the grocery store - so we make every trip count. We only shop once a week, and then we combine all our errands into one. It’s makes for a full day in town, but it works. It reminds me of my childhood - Saturdays were “town” days.
My younger son has moved back to Atlanta - he plans to utilize MARTA as much as possible, to save fuel.
Happy 4th!