Box Stores vs Locally Owned Stores Question?

My town is deliberately fighting to keep big box stores out. One big box art s and craft store opened and put a local business out that had been in town for 40 years. It's a shame that the town could use the many new jobs available but very sad to see a business that helped sustain a town for so long be pushed out. With families needing to pinch every penny it does make sense to shop the stores that save you the most, but these small businesses really do keep the towns going.