Watching the encroachment of the new chain restaurants, right near the big-box chain stores, we call upon our neighbors to support local businesses instead – from bakeries to hardware.

A simple economics lesson shows most of your money stays in the area when you give your money to local businesses. We can consciously affect our economy by intentional spending. Also, there’s the benefit to the environment from staying in the neighborhood, saving fuel costs and freight charges from shipping distribution centers.

Center Street already looks like Anyhighway, U.S.A. What’s unique about L-A when we choke off the local entrepreneurs? Why come here, instead of South Portland? L-A natives may soon find it hard to distinguish their hometown from Augusta. Young people will tire of McMeals and Wal-fashion, and look elsewhere for something fresh, or they already are.

If you think a $23 steak platter in a chain restaurant, devised in a boardroom, is exotic, you ought to try a real one at Mac’s Grill.

Let’s keep it real – a unique identity can make us self-sustaining, attractive and proud.

Toby and Mike Giasson, Auburn