Small Towns Bring Frowns

So Rachel and I tried candlelight shopping in downtown Haddonfield the other night. It rained, and only like 5 stores were open. What's the point of having candelight shopping if all stores won't particpate?

Small towns used to be my thing. My mom and I used to enjoy taking a Saturday to go to Haddonfield or Collingswood or Woodbury and eating lunch and shopping along the main street. There would usually be a bookstore, a thrift store, a candy store, and several other small gift shops.

However, it's all starting to change. The small towns aren't the same as they used to be. I don't know if it's the economy or not, but they just are lacking a magical element that used to be quite visible when shopping in them. I notice it more now because it's almost Christmas and that is the time of year I'd really enjoy shopping in these areas.

There are less thrift stores and used bookstores and more high end clothing shops and eclectic art places. These are not the stores that I remember. There are more trendy eateries than I can count, and less little mom and pop diners.

I find the whole thing disenchanting anymore. I would love for small towns to go back to the way they were, when it really was a treat to shop in them.