Not every business in Seattle is a corp but not every small business is truly independent. The small companies are the way the mega-corporations control the populous. No matter where you eat, drink or play your pay still makes its way to the pocket of the megacorp. From the many restaurant and food providers that front produce from Cadius inc, to the side street vendors selling 'cheap' versions of the latest tech from Suretsu Industry all are paying their dues to the corporate overlords. One way or another they will have their gold. True independent seller are a rare flower in the neon jungle and can be easily snuffed out by the overbearing wealth and influence of their greedy neighbours.