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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 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 Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Aug 1, 2001

Independent Pharmacies On The Rebound

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

After more than a decade of decline, independent pharmacies are beginning to make a comeback. Last year, 244 new independent pharmacies opened, according to the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA). By comparison, the top three pharmacy chains had a combined increase of 234 stores last year. Walgreens posted a net gain of 344 new stores, CVS was up 35 stores, and Rite Aid had a net loss of 145 stores.

The increase in independent pharmacies is a sharp turnaround from the last decade.

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | 2 Comments | Updated on Aug 1, 2001

Hudson Valley Communities Fight Cvs

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/hudson-valley-communities-fight-cvs/

A firestorm of protest has swept the Hudson River region of New York in response to CVS’s plans to open stores in nearly a dozen village centers. Having saturated strip malls and highways, chain drugstores in recent years have focused increasingly on Main Street locations.

In the Hudson region, CVS has cut deals to lease sites formerly occupied by grocery stores in several village centers. Ten of the sites were Grand Union outlets, a regional grocery chain that recently filed for bankruptcy.

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

Brooklyn Neighborhood Defeats Ikea

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/brooklyn-neighborhood-defeats-ikea/

In June, the Swedish furniture chain Ikea dropped its proposal to build a 300,000 square foot store on 9-acre site in Brooklyn. The defeat is Ikea’s second in the New York region this year. In February, organized opposition from small business owners and residents forced Ikea to back out of plans to open a store in New Rochelle.

The Brooklyn site is located near Gowanus Canal in a predominantly residential neighborhood. Once the location of a coal transfer station, the land is currently owned by the US Postal Service.

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

Belfast Voters Outlaw Big Box Stores

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/belfast-voters-outlaw-big-box-stores/

In June, residents of Belfast, Maine voted 2-to-1 to ban retail stores larger than 75,000 square feet. They also elected two big box opponents to the City Council by substantial margins.

Belfast, located in the fast-growing mid-coast region about two and a half hours north of Portland, has a population of 6,400. It’s 18th century downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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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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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

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 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.

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