Chain stores in the community

The Consumerist blog ponders the question: When Do Chain Stores Become Part Of The 'Neighborhood Fabric'?

Some of the comments and responses are interesting.

I would think that chain stores would have a better time integrating into a community were they to be located within walkable from residences, or at least from other stores. While I would agree that some fast food places can become community hang outs without meeting my previous criteria, I doubt big box stores isolated by convoluted roads become anything other than stores to most people.