After many conversations with retailers, manufacturers and industry consultants involved with store brands, I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m an atypical consumer. This is difficult to admit in my line of work.

I shy away from big-box stores; my husband and I cook from scratch (every night); and we belong to a co-op of local farmers that provides us with seasonal fruits and veggies.

Now that my dirty laundry is hanging out to dry, I can express the shock I felt when I learned my favorite cheese store closed its doors. Yes, it was a store dedicated solely to cheese, and it was a landmark in my neighborhood for years.

The closing of my beloved cheese store is a poignant reminder that, in terms of retail, our neighborhood — and nearly every other neighborhood across the country — is in a constant state of change. But — looking at the bright side — often change inspires further development and innovation.

For example, I recently came across an article in the Honolulu Advertiser proclaiming the concerns local Honolulu residents had on learning that Austin, Texas-based Whole Foods Market planned to open four stores in parts of Hawaii over the next three years.

As a self-proclaimed atypical shopper, my thoughts went first to the local retailers, who undoubtedly will be affected by the opening of Whole Foods. But, giving the issue more thought, I found myself (gasp) almost rooting for the “big, bad chain.”

By entering this new market, Whole Foods will ignite a new form of competition in the Hawaiian natural food landscape — forcing local retailers to be more creative in their product and customer-service offerings. For example, the Honolulu Advisor mentions one retailer’s plans to enlarge its Honolulu store with a redesign and renovation in response to Whole Foods’ arrival.

But — as we all know — change has its downsides as well. Not every independent retailer is going to benefit from Whole Foods’ opening in the area. But a community cannot (and should not) be expected to support all businesses — old or new — unquestioningly.

When “my” cheese store opened, it was supported by a neighborhood of German immigrants. But as the neighborhood became more ethnically diverse, the cheese store stayed the same — appealing to a smaller percentage of the overall population — not enough to keep it in business.

The change in my neighborhood didn’t happen overnight — but that’s not to say that it couldn’t have. Big change rarely gives warning, so it’s crucial to be ready for it. Why wait until a billion-dollar retailer opens across the street to “redesign and renovate” your store and its product offerings? Why wait until after a shift in demographics to cater to a new clientele? By then, these new consumers probably already are shopping somewhere else!

Change is necessary — it inspires the evolution of growth in nearly all aspects of life and business. Are are you ready for it?