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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by admin | No Comments | Updated on Aug 1, 2002

“INDEPENDENTS WEEK” CELEBRATED IN TAMPA

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/independents-week-celebrated-tampa/

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.

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by admin | No Comments | Updated on Aug 1, 2002

Big Box Sprawl Causes Sharp Rise in Police Costs

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/big-box-sprawl-causes-sharp-rise-police-costs/

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.

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by admin | No Comments | Updated on Aug 1, 2002

NEWSPAPERS SUFFER WHEN LOCAL STORES CLOSE

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/newspapers-suffer-when-local-stores-close/

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.

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Article filed under Waste to Wealth, Zero Waste & Economic Development | Written by admin | No Comments | Updated on Jul 22, 2002

Defending Recycling/Eliminating Disposal: ILSR Written Testimony Regarding Senate Bill 2220

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/defending-recyclingeliminating-disposal-ilsr-written-testimony-regarding-senate-bill-2220/

July 22, 2002 Senator Jeffords ChairSenate Committee on Environment and Public Works 410 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington,DC 20510 RE: Senate Bill 2220, the National Beverage Producer Responsibility Act of 2002 Dear Senator Jeffords: Many thanks for your extraordinary efforts in addressing the growing problem of discarded beverage containers by introducing Senate Bill 2220, the… Continue reading

Article, Resource filed under Waste to Wealth | Written by admin | No Comments | Updated on Jul 22, 2002

ILSR Asks Senator Jeffords to More Directly Encourage Refilling in His Senate Bill 2220, The National Beverage Producer Responsibility Act of 2002

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/ilsr-asks-senator-jeffords-to-more-directly-encourage-refilling-in-his-senate-bill-2220-the-national-beverage-producer-responsibility-act-of-2002/

National legislation that couples beverage container deposits with a minimum recovery rate is long overdue. If passed, Senator Jeffords Senate Bill 2220, the National Beverage Producer Responsibility Act of 2002, will fill this gap. The bill, introduced on Earth Day, calls for a minimum 80% recovery level and would set per container deposits on beverage… Continue reading

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Article filed under Waste to Wealth | Written by admin | No Comments | Updated on Jun 15, 2002

Deconstructing Stanton, Nail by Nail

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/deconstructing-stanton-nail-by-nail-2/

By Barbara Ruben Special to The Washington Post Saturday, June 15, 2002; Page H01 Two months ago, Beverly White tore down her home of 39 years, floorboard by floorboard and nail by nail. She and dozens of other former residents of the Stanton Dwellings public housing project in Southeast Washington are taking apart the 348-unit… Continue reading

Article filed under Independent Business | Written by admin | No Comments | Updated on May 1, 2002

Local Bookstore Files Antitrust Suit Against Chains

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/local-bookstore-files-antitrust-suit-against-chains/

The now defunct Intimate Bookshop of North Carolina has filed suit against Barnes & Noble and Borders Books alleging that the chains used their market power to pressure publishers for special discounts and terms unavailable to other retailers.

According to documents filed in the case by Intimate’s attorney, Carl Person, the chains received an effective discount of 60 percent off the cover price, compared to only about 40-46 percent given to independent bookstores.

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by admin | No Comments | Updated on May 1, 2002

INDEPENDENT FUNERAL HOMES REBOUND

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/independent-funeral-homes-rebound/

Just a few years ago, industry observers were predicting the demise of independent funeral homes. Four giant companies were buying up thousands of independent mortuaries and rapidly consolidating the industry. By processing bodies at large regional embalming plants, buying in bulk, and sharing employees across multiple homes, the chains were expected to gain a significant financial edge over their independent competitors.

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by admin | No Comments | Updated on May 1, 2002

COOPERATIVE BOLSTERS INDEPENDENT LIGHTING STORES

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/cooperative-bolsters-independent-lighting-stores/

To counter competition from big box retailers, independent lighting stores are banding together in a cooperative called Lighting One. The coop enables members to reduce costs through joint purchasing and gain access to services and expertise that otherwise would be unaffordable.

"Lighting One puts us on a level playing field with the big boxes," says Marilyn Shulman, second generation owner of Bayshore Lighting, a 60-year-old lighting store in Long Island, New York.

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by admin | No Comments | Updated on May 1, 2002

AUSTIN INDEPENDENT BUSINESS ALLIANCE TAKES OFF

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/austin-independent-business-alliance-takes/

Steve Bercu, owner of Book People, a large independent bookstore in Austin, Texas, has been increasingly concerned about the decline of the city’s homegrown businesses. Like the rest of the country, Austin has seen as steady influx of national chains. Meanwhile, the local businesses so central to the city’s sense of place and character are disappearing.

About a year-and-a-half ago, Bercu learned about the Boulder Independent Business Alliance (BIBA) in Boulder, Colorado and decided to replicate the approach in Austin.

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