In Akron, Ohio another independent bookstore bites the big one because of the opening of a Borders and the store owner seems to accept his fate without too much fuss.

“Borders is a response to customer demand. There’s nothing evil about it, it’s just business,'’ he said.

The article from Akron’s Beacon Journal points to a 2002 study done by Civic Economics concerning the introduction of chain stores into the economy of Austin, TX. The analysis showed that “For every $100 spent at Borders, only $13 makes a local impact, compared to $45 for the same amount spent at a locally owned store.”

The same organization did a similar, more extensive, study in 2004 based on Chicago’s own Andersonville neighborhood.

In a study comparing the economic impact of ten Andersonville businesses and their chain competitors, it was found that:

Locally-owned businesses generate a substantial Local Premium in enhanced economic impact.

• For every $100 in consumer spending with a local firm, $68 remains in the Chicago economy.
• For every $100 in consumer spending with a chain firm, $43 remains in the Chicago economy.

You can’t argue with numbers. You just can’t. Numbers use nunchucks.

Also of interest:

1. Interview with a partner of Civic Economics.
2. The Village Voice covers Laura Miller’s new book, Reluctant Capitalists.
3. Guardian Unlimited’s Stephen Moss on independent bookshops.

[And… for the curious and impatient among you, a new bookstore post will be up by the end of the week soon.]