Originally Posted by
erikd
Lots of stuff to respond to here...
As a fellow Detroiter, I understand where you are coming from, but I don't think that it has anything to do with some kind of nefarious scheme to control the economics of the city. It's really not that devious. Big box stores require a ton of contiguous land, which tends to be harder to find, and is generally more expensive, in the inner city than in the suburbs. While there are a few examples of big box stores in American cities, it is the exception, not the norm.
Having said that, I will also say that I am glad that there is a lack of big-box stores in the city, or at least in the city center. The main reason that I live in Detroit is because I don't have to drive everywhere. I can walk, bus, bike, or cab to everything that I need on a regular basis.
I can even buy an iron or bed sheets if I really need to in a pinch, but i don't really buy irons or bed sheets that often, so it's not a big issue for me. I have only purchased one iron in my life, and it is still working after 17 years. I do buy towels and sheets more frequently, but even that is only about once every 3-5 years.
I will admit that I don't have a good linen store in the city, so I have to drive ten minutes to the nearest Target or Bed Bath and Beyond about once every two years.
I don't understand why that is a big deal. Who gives a fuck about easy access to irons and bedsheets? I walk 4 blocks to work, while my suburban co-workers spend hours driving 40-60 miles every single day! But once a year I have to drive 12 minutes, instead of 5, to go to Target or Bed Bath and Beyond for towels, sheets, and underwear.