Pigs and hoodlums. Oh my!

By Jeff Lane
Posted Monday, October 29, 2007

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Pittsboro, NC - Oh my... I am astounded at the reactions to the "Pig" now residing in the shopping center from our beloved "open minded, kind and compassionate" neighbors. It's amazing that the reactions have been so vitriolic.

First, the majority of all the people who post to this list claim to want to retain that "country charm and character" of Chatham county. They want to "fight the big evil corporations like Starbuck's and Wal-Mart." Yet, when the Piggly Wiggly comes to town, instead of welcoming the new store with open arms and embracing one of the icons of southern and country living, they scrutinize, complain, whine and moan about it. Apparently, country charm only extends to small, hard to sustain mom-and-pop type stores that sell kitchy items (J. Henry excluded).

Let me say that I was a bit underwhelmed when I went to Piggly Wiggly. I was a bit shocked that the most they had done was clean up the old Lowe's equipment and repaint, but then again, the Pig is not known for glamorous flashy stores. They are known for being the only place to buy groceries in MANY small country communities. My great aunt and uncle, who owned a farm in southwest Virginia, always appreciated the fact that until about the mid 80s, the Pig was the only place willing to provide groceries to the surrounding countryside. They shopped there for probably 40 years, and never complained once.

Second, I am sadly not too surprised at the reaction by certain people on this list to the Pig. It appears that caring and compassion and kindness only extend so far. Personally, I think Pittsboro has way too many kitchy little stores. I am sure they all are owned and operated by kind, friendly people, and I am sure they provide some nice items that can not be found elsewhere. In fact, there are a couple that my wife just loves, but the truth is, if you go to any "real" country town, you won't find a bead store. Nor will you find an ecclectic clothing store. You won't find a set of cafes that sell gourmet style food. Instead, you will find a diner, a burger joint, and the Pig (or something very similar to it).

I really despise feeling like someone should say "Yankee go home" but the truth is, it really really looks to me like those people who relish the quiet country living and the quaint country charm don't actually want those things. They want a facsimile based on the ideas they got by disliking the cities they lived in before, crowded, full of traffic and pollution, and those dreaded corporate giants that choke the very air from the lungs of the poor small independent retailer.

The fact is, most of this county can simply not afford to shop at the Marketplace. Most of this county's residents can not afford to eat at the General Store cafe. Most of them don't need beads and baubles because they have to spend their money on important things like food, gas, housing and clothes. Heck, I make quite a bit of money and I can't really afford to do all our shopping at the Marketplace. And that's a shame, because I really like the Marketplace. The food is good, the dinners are excellent, and they have fresh Sushi. But most of my shopping is done at Lowes, or now the Pig because they have what I need at lower prices, usually.

Also, someone mentioned that it was "OK" for the kind and caring types to congregate outside the Marketplace, but it is seemingly criminal for those who hang out outside the dollar store. That statement is reprehensible and reeks of fear and racism. You and I both know who hangs out there. They've been there since before I moved to the county, and they'll be there long after I have moved away. And ya know what? They have never bothered me, beyond a friendly hello, which I replied in kind with a nice "How are you?".

The person who said that seems to be living in a world of fear of those "poor people" hanging outside the Dollar Store. Personally, I am more concerned about the Prius that zoomed through the circle, nearly taking the nose off my car than I am about some people hanging out in front of the Dollar store not bothering anyone. They've never bothered me, and as often as I shop at the grocery store in that center, I have never seen them bother anyone at all. Not once.

So dear poster, I think you need to take a deep breath, find your calming center, and meditate on the real reason you have such fear of people who look a certain way. Maybe if they wore Birks and had neck beards, you would think them more friendly? Perhaps if they had a guitar and sung protest songs? Maybe if they were handing out fliers for the latest protest du jour at the courthouse, or perhaps had some fresh, organic veggies, you would feel more at ease.

Once again, I am truly amazed at how closed minded, exclusionary and hypocritical the open-minded, welcoming and honest residents of this area can be.