I thought I had taken a wrong turn and ended up in Northern Virginia. While some have complained about the over-abundance of big box stores and strip malls, I must be quick to remind Richmonders that it is more of a tragedy when chain stores take over a once-quaint town. Besides, there’s a Trader Joe’s there! Chain or not, I’ll worship at the altar of any store that believes one mustn’t be ripped off for the love of gourmet cheese and international food. Having a hub of chain stores helps consumers who are used to the comforts of their favorite brands from larger cities. I’m a devotee of MAC cosmetics, and its only stand-alone store is in Short Pump. Besides, this concentration keeps the corporate sprawl far away from innovative small businesses in the Fan and downtown.