The Big-Box Shopping Conundrum

In the interest of full disclosure, I have, in the past, logged quite a few hours in Target stores. I have "evolved" (like many consumers, apparently) since my youthful days buying 45-RPM records at K-Mart (Private Eyes by Hall & Oates, anyone?) then succumbing to the hypnotic blue-light used by K-Mart, eventually falling prey to the big-box allure of Wal-Mart in the nineties, and finally "discovering" the current meglo-mart du jour, Target.

In 1995 B.T. (Before Target) I was driving through the Reston, Virgina area and upon seeing the now familiar red symbol by a construction site asked, "What does that place do?" The friend I was travelling with replied, "Oh, those places are everywhere... they sell all kinds of c**p." Being a neophyte and told him that "we don't have those in upstate New York." "Oh," he replied, "you will."

Yup. Ten years later, things have really changed. Currently in my larger metropolitan community there are no less than six (and growing) Targets within driving distance, although curoiusly, none within a reasonable biking or walking distance, as I live in an urban area. Apparently Target doesn't want to be that convenient to city slickers.

So what's a conscientous progressive to do? Is is okay to shop at Target? Is it at least better than shopping at Wal-Mart? Where can I affordably shop if not at the meglo-mart?

While hitching a ride through the blogosphere, I came across a site called Responibleshopper.com. There you can research the indiscretions and community benefits of any number of companies including the big box superstores, and even comapre thier relative sins and miracles. The site also offeres information on local "green" businesses, so that you can support the efforts of companies to prodcue and sell wares with a greater sensititivty to the econmoic and ecologic issues surrounding consumerism.

I'm probably not equipped yet to give up the big-box, but I'm beginning to be extremely open to exploring and using some alternatives.

This is how the shifts in thinnking and living start... one minute you're going to McCrappers for a burger on your way to K-Mart to buy the latest Grisham novel, and the next your making your own meal with ingrediants you purchased at the co-op, before riding your bicycle to the library to borrow some more books... and in the end you are better (not worse) for the experience.

Please check out Responsibleshopper.com by clicking below and let me know what you think!

Click to check out Responsibleshopper.com