I try to support any local business I can but if I can save money in this day and age I am going with the savings.
And thus the American small business man/woman is screwed.
I'm poor/broke, underemployed,,,,, I'd still rather spend a few extra bucks to support a small local business than give those dollars to Amazon or Walmart.
If, I eat out,,,our,,,, it's almost never at a chain or franchise (as long as the customer service is good). If I can buy something locally and have to choose between a big box store and a small local business, the local business wins,,, even for a couple extra bucks (again, as long as the customer service is good).
If I can't get what I want locally and have to buy it online, small businesses are my 1st choice (Etsy can fall in here as it is often small businesses, like Corey Joe Stewart, selling through there).
We are the small business, small vendor's, only hope. It does matter where you put your dollars.
If it isn't worth a couple extra bucks to support small businesses to someone,,,, that someone has no business lamenting the demise of American businesses and manufacturer ingredients. Don't bitch when everything is imported from China and you are stuck dealing with the "pajama slipper" people at Walmart when you go shopping.