I have always tried to give my business to a yid over a non-Yid, a frum yid over a non-frum yid, and a struggling new store owned by a frum yid, over the well-established thriving business owned by a frum yid. I said ‘tried’ because sometimes it iss simply not feasible. If the non-Jew sells an item for $10 and the Jewish store is selling the identical item for double that, it is a no-brainer.
I understand that the Jewish small store cannot easily compete with the large chain, but that is all the more reaason why the store owner has to step up to the plate with his people skills. To be honest, most male store owners who are that frum, do NOT have the skills in dealing with their (mostly) female clientelle. The biggets shopping is done by women, so either get female employees who know how to interact with them, or polish your own skills. Because of their yeshivish background, let’s face it, most of these guys are not used to talking to many women. THEN DON’T GO INTO BUSINESS THAT REQUIRE SUCH INTERACTION. It just seems so clear to me. In any case, if you are already in business, treat the clientelle with respect and as if you really want their business. They have a million other places they can go. If you are a restaurant, treat your inexpensive diners with the same respect and courtesy as if they dropped a three hundred dollar order on you. Maybe for them, the $50 order is the same to them as a more expensive meal is to someone else. I know. I have been there. And there are places I will never set foot in again, because they forgot that my husband’s money was as good as the rich guy’s.