Published Thursday, May 24, 2007 by Brad Edmonds
As we drive along the large highways through a city, writes Brad Edmonds, it is all too easy to wave one's hand and say: "look at all these unseemly strip malls that make this place look like every other!" But if we are looking for a hardware store, need a cup of coffee, or need some engine repair, our tune changes: we are grateful that we can easily spot the Home Depot, the Starbucks, or the Buick dealer. The locale saves search costs, for which we are glad indeed, and we demonstrate this feeling by voting for them with our own money. That's why they appear. That's why they stay.
(Original Text)
In Defense of Strip Malls (1.56 MB)