Erich wrote: <<If the shop hadn't just recently moved to a larger / nicer facility (and increased it's inventory), and seemed to be struggling, then sure I would try to eat the $ myself to help them out. >> Erich, You, too, make some good points about some prices being raised beyond reasonableness. One local hot shop in this area did that - interestingly enough, he's no longer in business! But, do we stop supporting small business when they stop struggling?? Another local hot shop (about 30 miles down the road) was just able to move into the mall from a very small market outlet. They worked hard for this. One of the owners was able to quit her day job. They now have increased traffic so maybe someday she can replace the income she just lost by giving up a job with the State and it's good benefits. So, now they don't look so much like they're struggling and they've increased their inventory. Is it now time to stop supporting them? This is the dream of small business. Start small, get bigger, someday make some money, and have way more fun than working for someone else! Sorry to keep the thread going and, like other CH oriented businesses, we really appreciate your support. But it really yanks my chain when someone says they no longer support a small business because that business got successful! You probably didn't mean it that way - just one of those things I'm sensitive to! BTW, to help the pain of the expensive hot sauces, CaJohn's just came up with 3 less expensive sauces: jalapeno, cayenne & hab. Not as complex as a lot of the more spendy sauces (mostly vinegar, peppers, garlic) but your complaints about price are being heard - and our small producers are doing what they can. Peggy in Seattle