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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by admin | 1 Comment | Updated on Oct 1, 2001

Thousands Camp In Big Box Parking Lots

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/thousands-camp-big-box-parking-lots/

Wal-Mart has become one of the nation’s largest campground operators. Every night thousands of recreational vehicles (RVs) set-up camp in Wal-Mart parking lots. The practice, which first began in the late 1980s, has grown rapidly in recent years. In places like Durango, Colorado and Anchorage, Alaska, Wal-Mart parking lots are jammed full of RVs night after night.

Parking overnight at Wal-Mart is free, so campers save the $20 to $35 fee charged by traditional campgrounds.

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by admin | No Comments | Updated on Oct 1, 2001

Protecting Historic Buildings From Chain Drugstores

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/protecting-historic-buildings-chain-drugstores/

Several years ago the major drugstore chains—CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, and Eckerd—lost interest in strip malls and began to focus their expansion plans on prominent downtown intersections. As Walgreens CEO Daniel Jorndt told the New York Times, the chain’s preferred location these days is "the corner of Main and Main."

Often, of course, these intersections are occupied by some of the community’s oldest and most significant buildings.

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by admin | No Comments | Updated on Oct 1, 2001

New Orleans Landmark Saved, But Wal-Mart Still Not Welcome

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/new-orleans-landmark-saved-walmart-still-not-welcome/

Fierce opposition from preservation and community groups has saved the last cotton press complex in the city of New Orleans from becoming a Wal-Mart parking lot. Now, building on this success, the groups hope to keep the proposed store out altogether.

In July, the ironically named Historic Restoration Inc. (HRI) revealed plans to redevelop a 65-acre site along Tchoupitoulas Street in the heart of New Orleans. The proposal includes 1100 units of housing and a 203,000 square foot Wal-Mart supercenter.

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by admin | No Comments | Updated on Oct 1, 2001

State Of Maryland Intervenes In Local Big Box Fight

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/state-maryland-intervenes-local-big-box-fight/

As part of Governor Parris Glendening’s smart growth agenda, the Maryland Department of Planning has decided to assist Kent County in its nine year battle to block a Wal-Mart store.

Under a rarely employed 1974 law, the state has the authority to participate in local land use proceedings. Earlier this year, Gov. Glendening announced that his administration would revive the law to address development that has smart growth implications.

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Article filed under Waste to Wealth, Zero Waste & Economic Development | Written by admin | No Comments | Updated on Sep 20, 2001

Letter to Editor: Response to Waste News Article, “Recyclers oppose tax breaks”

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/waste-news-letter-to-editor/

September, 20 2001 Mr. Allan Gerlat, Editor Waste News 1725 Merriman Road Akron, OH 44313-5251 Via Fax: 330-836-1692; Via E-Mail: editorial@wastenews.com Dear Editor, Bob Eisenbud, Director of Legislative Affairs for Waste Management, Inc., said that the problem with recycling today is commodity prices, not relatively cheap landfills (“Recyclers oppose tax breaks,” Waste News, September 3,… Continue reading

Article filed under Waste to Wealth | Written by admin | No Comments | Updated on Sep 19, 2001

Letter to Editor: Response to Waste News Article, “A few truths about WTE”

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/letter-to-editor-response-to-waste-news-article-a-few-truths-about-wte/

September 19, 2001 Mr. Allan Gerlat, Editor Waste News 1725 Merriman Road Akron, OH 44313-5251 Via Fax: 330-836-1692; Via E-Mail: editorial@wastnews.com Dear Editor, Touché Maria Zannes – those battling waste incinerators will feel a measure of success in the half-truths and lies in your article, “A few full-truths about WTE,” (September 3, 2001, Waste News)…. Continue reading

Article filed under Independent Business | Written by admin | No Comments | Updated on Aug 1, 2001

Independent Restaurant Alliances Multiply

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

Alex Pryor, owner of Zin Restaurant in Kansas City, has been watching in frustration as the city’s independent restaurants give way to national chains. Although the chains are often outmatched by the independents in terms of quality and service, their considerable resources enable them to gobble up prime locations and to buy market share through extensive advertising. Upscale chain restaurants have also grown increasingly clever at hiding their chain identity and appearing to be unique, locally owned businesses.

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by admin | No Comments | Updated on Aug 1, 2001

Consumers Don’t Buy Wal-Mart Rap On Gasoline Law

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/consumers-dont-buy-walmart-rap-gasoline-law/

As we reported in recent issues of this Bulletin, Wal-Mart is lobbying several state legislatures to repeal laws that bar below-cost sales of gasoline. Wal-Mart is installing gas stations in the parking lots of hundreds of its superstores. By selling gas below its wholesale cost, Wal-Mart hopes to draw shoppers into its stores and eliminate independent competitors. The problem is, many states have laws that require retailers to sell gas at a minimum mark-up.

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by admin | No Comments | Updated on Aug 1, 2001

More Towns Limit Store Size

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/more-towns-limit-store-size/

The number of communities that prohibit large retail stores continues to grow.

In order "to protect residents and visitors from the perils of regional, large format, mega-style commercial development," the town of Nags Head, North Carolina banned stores larger than 50,000 square feet in July.

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filed under General | Written by admin | No Comments | Updated on Jul 8, 2001

Belfast Votes in Self-Defense

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/belfast-votes-selfdefense/

By a nearly 2-1 margin, Belfast voters recently endorsed a measure to limit new retail stores to no more than 75,000 square feet. The law will keep Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and other "big box" retailers out of the community.

The Belfast vote is part of a growing nationwide movement. In the last few years alone, more than 100 cities and towns have rejected big box stores.

Grassrootsgroups dedicated to halting retail sprawl and strengthening local businesses are springing up around the country. In Belfast, a citizen coalition known as Belfast First helped build support for the size limit.

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