Retail

1 Aug 2002

Newspapers Suffer When Local Stores Close

by Stacy Mitchell | Date: 1 Aug 2002 | posted in: Retail | 0

Local newspapers suffer a double blow when giant chains like Home Depot or Wal-Mart come to town. Not only do these companies rarely advertise in local newspapers, but they usually force dozens of independent retailers to close, eliminating significant sources of newspaper ad revenue. In a recent article in Editor & Publisher, Mark Fitzgerald describes the deadly impact that the rise of corporate chains and decline of locally owned businesses has had on local newspapers.… Read More

1 Aug 2002

Big Box Sprawl Causes Sharp Rise in Police Costs

by Stacy Mitchell | Date: 1 Aug 2002 | posted in: Retail | 0

Many city officials welcome large chain retailers for the tax revenue that create. Rarely do they consider the other side of the balance sheet: the tax losses that occur when chains displace local stores and the added costs of providing roads, sewers, police, fire, and other public services to the sprawling new development.

Added police costs are proving especially difficult for many communities that once welcomed big box stores. Take Port Richey, Florida, for example. … Read More

1 Aug 2002

“Independents Week” Celebrated in Tampa

by Stacy Mitchell | Date: 1 Aug 2002 | posted in: Retail | 0

Posters declaring "Celebrate Independents Week!" greeted customers of local stores in Tampa, Florida, during the week of July 4th. "As we celebrate our nation’s independence, we invite you to join us in celebrating our great local independents," the posters read.

Independents Week was conceived by Carla Jimenez, co-owner of Inkwood Books. For several years, Inkwood has used Independence Day as an opportunity to remind customers of the importance of locally owned businesses to the community.… Read More

1 Aug 2002

Community Hero Card Promotes Local Businesses and Volunteering

by Stacy Mitchell | Date: 1 Aug 2002 | posted in: Retail | 0

A new program in Minneapolis rewards residents for supporting locally owned businesses and volunteering at local nonprofits. Developed by CHC Data Inc., the new Community HeroCard enables residents to earn rebates by shopping at more than 40 local stores. The rebate doubles if the cardholder volunteers at a nonprofit organization. The card looks like a credit card with a magnetic data strip that works in a standard debit card machine. … Read More

1 Aug 2002

Iowa Reconsiders Link to Amazon on State Web Site

by Stacy Mitchell | Date: 1 Aug 2002 | posted in: Retail | 0

The state of Iowa is in the process of removing a direct link to Amazon.com from the homepage of its official web site (http://www.iowa.gov). Under the new policy, visitors who click on the prominently placed graphic, "Looking for books about Iowa? Click Here Now," will be directed instead to a page with links to both Amazon.com and Booksense.com, an e-commerce site for independent bookstores. The decision followed a letter sent by the owners of nine Iowa bookstores. … Read More

1 Aug 2002

Old Saybrook, CT Bans Superstores

by Stacy Mitchell | Date: 1 Aug 2002 | posted in: Retail | 0

After more than four years of fighting to block three big box retailers, the town of Old Saybrook, Connecticut, has adopted an ordinance banning stores over 88,000 square feet. That’s about the size of two football fields, but smaller than a typical Home Depot or Target store. The new law also restricts commercial buildings in some parts of town to no more than 25,000 square feet.… Read More

1 Jul 2002

Homegrown Economics: In Boulder, Local Businesses Stay Ahead of the Chains

by Stacy Mitchell | Date: 1 Jul 2002 | posted in: Retail | 1

A profile of the first Independent Business Alliance. Plotting the overthrow of the franchised world, bookstore owner David Bolduc and political organizer Jeff Milchen strategize on how to preserve hometown businesses in Boulder, Colorado, and around the country. … Read More

1 May 2002

Arcata Prohibits Forumula Restaurants

by Stacy Mitchell | Date: 1 May 2002 | posted in: Retail | 0

In mid-May, the city council of Arcata, California voted 4-to-1 to enact a citywide cap on the number formula restaurants. The measure must pass a second reading on June 5. It will become law 30 days later. The ordinance defines a formula restaurant as one that shares the same design, menu, trademark, and other characteristics with twelve or more other establishments. The ordinance bars a formula restaurant from locating within the city unless it is replacing an existing formula restaurant at the same location. … Read More

1 May 2002

Ocean Beach Planning Board Endorses Formula Business Ban

by Stacy Mitchell | Date: 1 May 2002 | posted in: Retail | 0

Six weeks after an advisory referendum won broad support from residents, the Ocean Beach, California, planning board voted 8-to-4 in early May to recommend that the city council adopt an ordinance banning all formula restaurants and retail businesses.

Ocean Beach is a neighborhood of San Diego with a population of about 15,000. Each of the city’s neighborhoods has its own master plan and elected planning board.