Maine Villages Fight Wal-Mart Invasion
Wal-Mart is increasingly looking to build giant stores in small New England villages. Residents are fighting back.… Read More
Washington Town Limits ‘Formula’ Businesses
On a 4-2 vote, the City Council in Port Townsend, a community of about 8,500 people on the northwest coast of Washington state, approved an ordinance that restricts the proliferation of formula retail stores and restaurants. … Read More
Funds Launched to Aid the Gulf’s Independent Businesses
Local business owners across the country are coming to the aid of their counterparts in the Gulf Coast by establishing funds to provide direct assistance to independent businesses affected by the hurricanes. … Read More
Community Saves Independent Bookstore
Just one month after its abrupt closing, Kepler’s Books and Magazines in Menlo Park, California, has reopened thanks to an outpouring of support from the community. … Read More
Cal. City Uses Reserve Funds to Spur Local Business Development
In an effort to create more capital for local business loans and community development, the city of Santa Cruz, California, has shifted nearly $600,000 in city funds from U.S. treasuries and other securities to two locally owned financial institutions. Santa Cruz City Councilor Ryan Coonerty proposed the idea, which he says will bolster the local economy by keeping the city’s financial resources working locally. … Read More
Study Finds Chains Could Harm Cape Cod Economy
A new study has concluded that additional chain retail expansion on Cape Cod would undermine the region’s economy. … Read More
Buy Local Philly Shifts Public Behavior
In some of the first research to examine the effectiveness of buy-local campaigns, surveys in two Philadelphia neighborhoods, conducted at the end of a month-long pilot Buy Local Philly program, found that one in six people were aware of the initiative. Of those, 40 percent said they had been motivated to patronize an independent business as a result.… Read More
Wal-Mart Says 30% Market Share Too Big
In an ironic turn of events, Wal-Mart has called on the British government to intervene in the growing market dominance of rival retailer Tesco. … Read More
N.Y.C. Requires Retailers to Provide Health Care
Grocery and big-box retailers in New York City will be required to contribute a set minimum to their employees’ health insurance, under an ordinance passed by the City Council on a 46 to 1 vote. … Read More