I think it's just a lack of confidence. I couldn't really care less what chains other cities have that we don't. I just want us to have everything.
But I'm not counting or comparing with anyone else - I don't give a s**t.
But some people seem to think St. John's is somehow lesser and NEEDS to catch up or something. I disagree. Just as the mainland used to make fun of our downtown with its dense, narrow streets instead of wide, elevated highways and all that crap. Now they're scrambling to create neighbourhoods that feel closer to ours.
It all comes around. If you can happy with what you have, everything else is a bonus.