Steve from Royal Oak kicked off a great conversation yesterday, reminding me that it isn’t only independent bookstores that can be superior retail experiences. As he said, it could be a restaurant or a hardware store or a grocer. Of course, I agree. By praising the independent bookstore, I didn’t intend to exclude others. In fact, I think we all should pledge to support good local businesses when they are an option. We needn’t do it in a spirit of defiance or hostility but in simple recognition of the fact they are our hard-working neighbors, and they need us. I try to remember this, but I, for one, am going to try harder.