This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Today's communities are becoming overrun by chain businesses. There are fewer family-owned restaurants and stores and more globally owned businesses.
When I look back on my childhood and teenage years, I want to have memories at the local burger joint and the roller skating rink. I don't want to remember hanging out at the 7-Eleven or McDonald's.
Not only is this sameness changing our culture, it's creating a type of monopoly in the United States. Locals have little hope of opening a business for fear of being taken out by a chain business.
If I'm noticing these problems now, when I'm a 17-year-old high school student, what will our future community businesses look like?
Kylee Terry
South Jordan