In the comments Carl, of Delano Bungalow and other assorted blogs, brings up the big obstacle of profit. It is hard for local grocers to compete with the big-box stores.

This is where the latest post from Marketing Spoonful might fit in. He points out that there is a place where small stores can compete against the Wal-Marts and Dillons:

But I must admit that shopping in the sterile environs of discount city is not the same as squeezing a loaf of bread at the Bakery Outlet or waiting on line for ground beef at Garrett’s. But then, the very existence of those sterile environs creates opportunities for indy retailers and even larger chains to differentiate rather than play the price game.So come on, folks, take me back to the good ‘ol days. Give me an experience my peers and I will pay extra for. And a TV ad that says you do it won’t cut it. I mean really deliver an experience and we will come.