[Winona Online Democracy] Paul & John & others, I don't believe that the gov't had much choice in allowing the sale to Walmart. I think it'd be illegal for them to try to block the sale. If enough citizens wanted to rise up and petition against the move, that might have had some effect, but it's doubtful.
I also would have a hard time picketing to keep them out. Here's why: It takes a certain amount of new business to bring in more new business. Maybe you don't like the faceless corporations, but they tend to bring in more businesses with them, the smaller ones that benefit from convenient pedestrian traffic, like restaurants, hobby shops, etc. Imagine if BirdSong (sorry to pick on you, Mike) moves in next door to Walmart. I would gamble that their sales would increase immediately. Even though Walmart may sell some of the same things, BirdSong is an outstanding example of a cool store whose location does not do it justice. Look at where Walmart is located in surrounding cities -- right next to its smaller competitors, and all seem to be doing well. The worst part about the big W is the reputation they have for paying their employees so little. Yet they seem to find people who take the jobs and the crap that goes with it because it's the best that they can find at the time. -Clay Templeton -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Paul Double Sent: Thursday, July 10, 2003 7:10 AM To: On Line Democracy Subject: FW: [Winona] Walmart [Winona Online Democracy] I find it hard to believe that some in the Winona community believe that banning consumer driven successful large retail chains will benefit the community. I for one welcome new larger retail stores that reduce prices, avoid trips to La Crosse, Rochester and even the twin cities. Those of us who live on the east end of the city have waited for years for a large grocery store. Local retailers have had years to step up to the plate and provide us with a convenient east end location. If it takes a Wal-Mart or Sam's Club to do it hip, hip array! While many people desire the shop quaint little stores some of us prefer the one stop shop. We also prefer to make our purchases during hours we are not working; not the hours the small merchant "wants to work". We like stores that provide sizes that are not the norm whether that is shoes for wide EEEE or narrow AAAA feet or pants or slacks with 28 inch inseams because they inseam on site while you wait. We like the internet because items are almost always in stock from someone. We believe shopping is a task not a form of entertainment. We also would like the state and city to enjoy the revenue from the property, sales and the personal income taxes that are provided by the Big Box Stores thus reducing our taxes. We are tired of needing to purchase outside of Winona because the items we want are not on the shelf in Winona. Every manufacturer in Winona deals with both global and large competitors. Why should the consumers not benefit from similar opportunities of larger selections, price competition and local purchasing? Paul Double -----Original Message----- On Behalf Of John N. Finn Sent: Thursday, July 10, 2003 5:56 AM This is a link to a site containing essays, some of which support one side of Winona's current newspaper debate over the possibility of Wal-Mart coming to town...... http://www.newrules.org/retail/index.html _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org
