Normal General Stores?

This article suggests developing Suburban General Stores in residential areas so residents would be able to walk to a store within their subdivision and buy basic items. Supposedly, this would save money that would have been spent on driving to stores, and it also might increase social interaction among residents (one idea is to put a front porch on the store to serve as a gathering place).

This sounds nice in theory but raises issues such as the additional traffic and noise from delivery trucks, the impact of the store on the people who live close to it, and how zoning laws would accommodate it.  There are convenience stores sprinkled around town that are within walking distance of some residential areas, so it isn't a completely new idea for this town. And unless lots of people are making frequent trips to stores for one or two items, it doesn't seem like a necessity locally.