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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by admin | No Comments | Updated on Jul 1, 2003

Stoughton, Wisconsin, Citizens Declare “Uff-da Wal-Mart”

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/stoughton-wisconsin-citizens-declare-uffda-walmart/

Residents of Stoughton, Wisconsin, have come together under the banner "Uff-da Wal-Mart" to fight the company’s plans to turn a nearby cornfield into a massive supercenter. Uff-da is a Norwegian expression of disdain.

In mid-July, Uff-da Wal-Mart scored a significant victory when the City Council adopted a 90-day moratorium on big box retail development. The ordinance temporarily bans development of stores larger than 50,000 square feet.

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by admin | No Comments | Updated on Jul 1, 2003

Citizens in Aurora, New York, Press for Big Box Ban

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/citizens-aurora-new-york-press-big-box-ban/

A citizens group in Aurora, New York, has fought off Wal-Mart twice, first in 1996 and again in 2000. Now, with rumors circulating that the company may return for a third attempt, Aurora Citizens for Smart Growth is pushing for a permanent law banning stores over 55,000 square feet. That’s about one-third the size of the stores Wal-Mart previously proposed.

Bruce Davidson of the citizens group says the size cap is needed to maintain the character of the community and its small, locally owned businesses.

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by admin | No Comments | Updated on Jul 1, 2003

Coalition Fights Massive Big Box Subsidy in Arizona

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/coalition-fights-massive-big-box-subsidy-arizona/

In July, the Scottsdale, Arizona, City Council voted 4-3 to approve one of the largest subsidies ever given to a big box retail development. Those voting in the minority described the subsidy, which could amount to as much as $183 million over 40 years, as "obscene" and "insane."

The 600,000-square-foot development includes a Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, and Lowe’s Home Improvement store. The project is slated for a 42-acre site occupied by a derelict mall in south Scottsdale.

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by admin | No Comments | Updated on Jul 1, 2003

Superstore Tax Narrowly Fails in Montana

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/superstore-tax-narrowly-fails-montana/

In April, the Montana legislature narrowly defeated a bill to levy a tax on the revenue of big box retailers. Supported by most Democrats and a handful of Republicans, the legislation would have imposed a 1 percent tax on the revenue of retailers with more than $20 million in annual sales, a 1.5 percent tax on those with more than $30 million in sales, and a 2 percent tax on those with over $40 million. Continue reading

Article filed under Independent Business | Written by admin | No Comments | Updated on Jul 1, 2003

How Chain Stores Evade Paying State Taxes. . .And What to do About It

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/how-chain-stores-evade-paying-state-taxes-and-what-do-about-it/

Many retail chains, including Victoria’s Secret and Toys "R" Us, earn profits at stores nationwide, but have developed an accounting scheme to evade paying their full-share of corporate income taxes in more than half the states.

Tax experts believe the practice is costing states billions of dollars in lost revenue. It is likely one factor behind the decline in state corporate income tax receipts.

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Jul 1, 2003

Ireland May Rescind Superstore Ban

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/ireland-may-rescind-superstore-ban/

Ireland’s Environment Minister Martin Cullen has announced that the government may lift a five-year-old nationwide policy banning superstores.

The policy, adopted as a temporary measure in 1998 and made permanent in 2001, prohibits stores over 3,500 square meters (38,000 square feet) in Dublin and 3,000 square meters (32,000 square feet) in the rest of the country.

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Jul 1, 2003

San Francisco May Notify Neighbors When Chains Try to Move in

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/san-francisco-may-notify-neighbors-when-chains-try-move/

Under a measure introduced by San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Matt Gonzalez, the city would notify neighbors whenever a pharmacy or coffee shop wants to open nearby.

Residents would have 30 days to request that the proposed store be subject to a public hearing and formal review by the Planning Commission. Such reviews are normally required only for major demolition or construction, or when there is a change of use, such as from residential to commercial.

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Jul 1, 2003

Arizona Coalition Urges, Think Independently, Buy Locally

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/arizona-coalition-urges-think-independently-buy-locally/

A new coalition of more than 70 independent businesses in the Phoenix metro area is urging residents to "Think Independently, Buy Locally."

The coalition, known as Arizona Chain Reaction, grew out of a conversation between Michael Monti, owner of Monti’s restaurant, and Kimber Lanning, owner of Stinkweed, an alternative music store. At first, they simply wanted to get about ten local businesses together to buy advertising as a group.

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Jul 1, 2003

Los Angeles May Require Big Boxes to Pay Higher Wages

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/los-angeles-may-require-big-boxes-pay-higher-wages/

Hundreds of residents have attended hearings held by the Los Angeles City Council’s Economic Development and Employment Committee on ways to mitigate the negative effects of supercenters on the community. Supercenters are massive stores, primarily operated by Target and Wal-Mart, that combine general merchandise with a full supermarket. Continue reading

Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Jul 1, 2003

Tampa Businesses Celebrate Second Annual “Independents Week”

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

Twenty locally owned businesses—including restaurants, a record store, a grocer, a hardware dealer, clothing stores, a gift shop, and a bookstore—participated in this year’s second annual Independents Week celebration. The event is designed to broaden awareness of the value independent businesses and encourage residents to shop locally. Continue reading