New Book "The Hometown Advantage" by Andy LaPointe shows how Main Street retailers use AI & culture to outsmart Big Box giants and win on community.

(PRUnderground) January 7th, 2026

New Book Reveals How Main Street Businesses Can Outsmart “Big Box” Giants Using AI and Local Culture

“The Hometown Advantage”, by Andy LaPointe, provides a roadmap for local retailers to stop competing on price and start winning on community.

As small businesses face increasing pressure from e-commerce titans and national chains, a new book by veteran retailer and tech founder Andy LaPointe offers a contrarian solution: Stop trying to beat them at their own game.

LaPointe, the owner of two retail stores and the founder of OnlineAssistant.AI, today announced the release of his new book, The Hometown Advantage: How Small Businesses Can Use Local Culture and AI to Outsmart National Competitors.

The Hometown Advantage is available now in paperback on Amazon (MSRP $14.95).

While most business guides advise small owners to mimic the strategies of Amazon or Walmart, The Hometown Advantage argues that—due to the massive size of the marketing budgets of business giants—this is a losing battle. Instead, LaPointe provides a practical framework for leveraging the two things national chains and online giants can never replicate: authentic local culture and the owner’s hyper-local connection to the community.

The book posits that in an era of automated transactions, “relationship capital” has become the new currency. Unlike a faceless algorithm, a Main Street business owner is a neighbor, a sponsor of local teams, and a pillar of the community. This specific, high-touch relationship creates a trust barrier that big box stores cannot penetrate, no matter how low they drop their prices.

“For too long, Main Street business owners have been told they need to be more like the tech giants to survive,” says LaPointe. “That is a lie. The giants can outspend small businesses on the internet, but you own the hometown. This book shows you how to use that territorial advantage—and low-cost and no-cost AI tools—to dominate your local market.”

LaPointe emphasizes that the goal of technology is not to replace the human touch, but to restore it. “By using AI to handle certain tasks,” LaPointe adds, “the business owner is freed up to focus on deepening those personal connections that drive loyalty, gain new customers, strenghten relations with current customers and increase revenue and “

The book covers three critical shifts for modern business owners:

• Stop Fighting the Giants: Why competing on price, logistics, and ad spend is a mathematical trap for small businesses.
• The AI Equalizer: How to use Artificial Intelligence to automate marketing and administrative tasks, giving owners the time to focus on high-value human interactions.
• Monetizing the “Neighbor” Status: Practical strategies to turn local roots and community trust into a premium brand asset that national chains can’t copy.

Uniquely qualified to bridge the gap between traditional retail and modern technology, LaPointe draws on his dual experience running brick-and-mortar stores in Michigan and developing AI solutions for small businesses.

The Hometown Advantage is available now in paperback on Amazon (MSRP $14.95).

About the Author: Andy LaPointe is a serial entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and the owner of successful gourment food brand with online and offline distribution, which also has two corporate owned retail stores. He is also the founder of OnlineAssistant.AI, a platform dedicated to helping business owners leverage artificial intelligence. He frequently consults with Main Street businesses on how to combine old-school hospitality with new-school technology.

Media Contact: Andy LaPointe Phone: 1-231-533-8788 Website: OnlineAssistant.ai Location: Elk Rapids, Michigan

About OnlineAssistant.AI

OnlineAssistant.AI is the dedicated AI partner for solopreneurs and Main Street retailers. Founded by retail veteran Andy LaPointe, we provide ”no-code” AI solutions designed to help smaller teams punch above their weight.

Focused on slashing costs and reclaiming your time, OnlineAssistant.AI equips you with the tools to attract new customers, strengthen loyalty, and increase revenue through automation. We give you the leverage to outsmart national competitors and streamline operations—effectively replacing the need for a massive staff. Visit www.OnlineAssistant.AI to grow your business today.

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Original Press Release.