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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Justin Dahlheimer | 1 Comment | Updated on Nov 9, 2009

Voters Reject Massive Big-Box Complex in Mendocino County, California

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/voters-reject-massive-bigbox-complex-mendocino-county-california/

Despite being outspent 12-to-1, a grassroots group campaigning against a plan to build a massive big-box complex in Mendocino County, California, won a decisive victory when voters rejected the project by a nearly 2-to-1 margin. Continue reading

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | 3 Comments | Updated on Sep 18, 2009

Local Businesses Key to Rebuilding New Orleans’ Economy, Study Finds

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/local-businesses-key-rebuilding-new-orleans-economy-study-finds/

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, many of New Orleans’ locally owned businesses reopened within days of the floodwaters subsiding, while national chains kept their distance for months, even years. Now a new study finds that the city’s independent businesses are not only more resilient, but generate twice the economic impact of big-box retailers like Target, while consuming a fraction of the land. Continue reading

Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Justin Dahlheimer | 1 Comment | Updated on Sep 16, 2009

Santa Rosa Rejects Big Box and Goes Local

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/santa-rosa-rejects-big-box-and-goes-local/

In a crowed public hearing room, the city council of Santa Rosa, California, soundly defeated a proposed Lowe’s store on a 5-2 vote. The vote was a victory for the GoLocal Cooperative, a county-wide coalition of local businesses and residents working localize the region’s economy.  Continue reading

Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | 1 Comment | Updated on Sep 3, 2009

Does the NFIB Really Represent the Interests of Independent Businesses?

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/does-nfib-really-represent-interests-independent-businesses/

Today, in the New York Times small business blog, Robb Mandelbaum examines the membership of the National Federation of Independent Businesses has plummeted and takes a look at how the group has lobbied for tax loopholes that boost the profits of big chains, while forcing independent businesses to pay more.   

Continue reading

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | 2 Comments | Updated on Aug 19, 2009

Neighborhood Stores: An Overlooked Strategy for Fighting Global Warming

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/neighborhood-stores-overlooked-strategy-fighting-global-warming/

So far, the public debate about cars and climate change has been dominated by fuel economy. But driving has been growing at such a rapid pace that even a big advance in fuel economy is likely to be wiped out by ever more miles on the road. This is where local stores come in.  Dozens of studies have found that people who live near small stores walk more for errands and, when they do drive, their trips are shorter. Continue reading

Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Justin Dahlheimer | No Comments | Updated on Aug 14, 2009

A Walgreens without a pharmacy…what gives?

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/walgreens-without-pharmacywhat-gives/

A recently opened Walgreens in Fargo, North Dakota, is not filling prescriptions.  Corporate greed, not state law, is preventing the retailer from putting a pharmacy in the store. Continue reading

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | No Comments | Updated on Aug 1, 2009

“Buy Local” Helps Main Street Merchants and Other Independents Survive Recession

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/buy-local-helps-main-street-merchants-and-other-independents-survive-recession/

A growing body of evidence suggests that public enthusiasm for all things local and independent is on the rise, providing locally owned businesses with a measure of insulation from the worst effects of the recession, even as some of their biggest competitors teeter and collapse. Continue reading

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | 3 Comments | Updated on Jul 22, 2009

Starbucks Goes Stealth with Unbranded, “Local” Cafes

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/starbucks-goes-stealth-unbranded-local-cafes/

In one of the more brazen attempts by a corporation to disguise itself as a locally owned business, Starbucks is un-branding at least three of it Seattle outlets.   Continue reading

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | 8 Comments | Updated on Jul 9, 2009

The Corporate Co-Opt of Local

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

HSBC, one of the biggest banks on the planet, has taken to calling itself "the world’s local bank."  Starbucks is un-branding at least three of its Seattle outlets, the first of which just reopened as "15th Avenue Coffee and Tea." The International Council of Shopping Centers is pouring millions of dollars into television ads urging people to "Shop Local" — at their nearest mall.

Hoping to capitalize on growing public enthusiasm for all things local, some of the world’s biggest corporations are brashly laying claim to the word “local.” Continue reading

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Article filed under Independent Business | Written by Stacy Mitchell | 2 Comments | Updated on Jun 23, 2009

Death of the Category Killers

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

Borders Books is on "death watch," according to one industry observer. Virgin shut down its last U.S. record store this month. Office Depot and Staples are struggling.  Circuit City is gone.  Best Buy has launched a desperate ad campaign.

While the decline of independent businesses has leveled off, the rest of the retail sector is undergoing dramatic consolidation as a small number of massive companies become ever more dominant. This is an ominous trend for manufacturers and consumers, and it exposes serious flaws in U.S. antitrust policy.  Continue reading