Independent America Documents Value of Mom & Pop Stores

While some people go out of their way to shop at only independents, one couple has taken it a little bit farther -- 13,000 miles farther to be exact.

Hanson Hosein, Heather Hughes, and Miles.

A recently released documentary, Independent America: The Two Lane Search for Mom & Pop (HRH Media), follows filmmakers and journalists Hanson Hosein and Heather Hughes (and their dog Miles) as they travel cross-country and back, shopping at locally owned businesses. The documentary follows Hosein and Hughes as they travel through 32 states, avoiding big box stores, chains, and even interstates, "as they search for an America unchained by corporate retail."

Now, the American Booksellers Association is offering a complimentary copy of the 88-minute Independent America DVD to bookstore members interested in holding a screening of the film in their bookstores. The DVD is available while supplies last. [To view a trailer of the documentary, go to www.independentamerica.net. To order a complimentary copy, ABA member bookstores should send an e-mail with "Independent America" in the subject line to ABA's Peter Reynolds at [email protected], or call (800) 637-0037, ext. 6635.]

Throughout the documentary, Hosein and Hughes speak to Americans from all walks of life, including independent business owners, political leaders, union members, and a spokeswoman from Wal-Mart. The film features interviews with Steve Bercu of BookPeople in Austin, Texas, and Dan Houston, a partner in Civic Economics, which compiled the studies "Economic Impact Analysis: A Case Study, Local Merchants vs. Chain Retailers" and The Andersonville Study of Retail Economics."

As the couple travels along America's secondary roads, Hosein and Hughes discover what it means to support independent businesses and "how very easy it is" to do. Using animation, the film illustrates how independent businesses, including local bookstores, benefit local economies, local democracy, and diversity. The filmmakers hope the film will encourage Americans to think hard about where they spend their income. --David Grogan