That is part of it as well in some areas. That doesn't really answer why public transportation sucks, though - busses are large automobiles and use the same net

That is part of it as well in some areas. That doesn't really answer why public transportation sucks, though - busses are large automobiles and use the same network. But it doesn't matter how far you live either. I've often lived within a mile of grocery stores, but the infrastructure isn't there. There isn't always even a sidewalk to get to bus stops. Sometimes the bus stop is just a sign, no sidewalk. Busses rarely go inter-city and often don't go to workplaces on the outskirts of town (at least not in many smallish cities). They aren't efficient. Why would anywhere build smaller stores similar to walkable places when the infrastructure isn't there, anyway?