Second, I got a reply to my first post from supportnbpt.org. Thanks to them for the reply. I'll address these comments in upcoming posts and welcome their participation.
Tom, the ordinance submitted is not a ban on chain stores. It is simply a mechanism to allow the community to have some input into what is done with our City. The ordinance can always be overridden to allow another chain store. Without the ordinance we have no say. Fowles could be taken over by Friendly’s; the Fitness Factory could become a Borders and the Grog could become a Chiles. This could all happen overnight.
The Libertarian argument says we can do whatever we want with our property. Would you like to see a ten story Marriott in place of Oldies? As a member of the supportNBPT/Buy Local Committee, I would like to share some of the facts we’ve learned while researching other cities and towns that have banned chains.
•Approximately 70% of an independent’s revenue stays in the city vs. 15% of a chain’s revenue.
•Chains can pay higher rents. An influx of chains will increase rents throughout the city and push independents out.
•Independents give back more to the community in various charitable ways. A perfect example is our three local banks who contribute heavily to the community.
•Tourists come here for our waterfront and our specialty shops and restaurants. If they want to shop at chain stores, they can go to their local indoor mall. Why drive to Newburyport?
•Chains have the corporate backing to heavily advertise and offer hefty discounts that independents cannot afford – again pushing them out.
•And yes, chains will change the character of Newburyport, just as aluminum siding would on a house in the middle of Fruit Street.
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•Approximately 70% of an independent’s revenue stays in the city vs. 15% of a chain’s revenue.
The buy local website says 53% - so which is it ? Either way, they must have one hell of a profit margin. I'd love to see some supporting research. Many chains are locally owned franchises whose profits would also stay local
•Chains can pay higher rents. An influx of chains will increase rents throughout the city and push independents out.
Higher rents should lead to higher valuations for downtown buildings and more tax revenue. This would represent the better use of the property.
•Independents give back more to the community in various charitable ways. A perfect example is our three local banks who contribute heavily to the community.
Banks are excluded from the ordinance, so The Institution could still become a CitiBank.
•Tourists come here for our waterfront and our specialty shops and restaurants. If they want to shop at chain stores, they can go to their local indoor mall. Why drive to Newburyport?
If there were non-tourist shops downtown, NBPT residents wouldn't have to drive 20 miles to the mall. Isn't this anti-green ?
Lots of folks shop on Newbury St even though the Copley mall is a block away.
•Chains have the corporate backing to heavily advertise and offer hefty discounts that independents cannot afford – again pushing them out.
Such is business, there's no ordinance protecting my employer or job.
•And yes, chains will change the character of Newburyport, just as aluminum siding would on a house in the middle of Fruit Street.
There's nothing preventing you from buying a building downtown and renting it to whomever you'd like.
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