I have to go with MMario on this one - many of Nashville's little businesses closed a long time before we had Big Box stores. Sometimes people just want to retire.

Here in Nashville, independent stores are generally a LOT more expensive than the big boxes - that could be because most of the independent shops are in the wealthy neighborhoods, catering to a wealthy clientele who want to buy exclusive clothes, home decorations, etc. Levy's is a good example - this menswear store has been around since the 1850s. That's right, I said 1850s. A few years ago they expanded to carry some women's things. They're right across from the mall, and their parking lot is always packed.

The influx of immigrants in Tennessee has spawned a slew of Mexican, Asian, and Middle-Eastern groceries - specialty shops that sell what you can't find at Wal-Mart or Kroger or Publix.

I guess is just depends on supply and demand in any particular area.