+- Punaweb Forum (http://punaweb.org/forum)
+-- Forum: Punaweb Forums (http://punaweb.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=3)
+--- Forum: Punatalk (http://punaweb.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=10)
+--- Thread: Big Box Ban - Thoughts? (/showthread.php?tid=1399)
RE: Big Box Ban - Thoughts? - Dave M - 09-20-2007
I usually leave these type topics to yous guys cuz, well, I don't live there.
But since they just broke ground for a HEB and a Home Depot in my little town, I'm gonna throw my 2 cents in.
It's sad to see the small shops shutting down. I know I know it's a necessary evil but honestly that small town feeling is one of the things that I liked about it here and there as well.
Ironicly, the real estate market is still going strong here due to that type of growth.
The flip-side is my wife wont have to drive 25 miles to get groceries and my kid loves Mcdonalds (they're going in across the street from Home Depot)
While I'm whining, I hate the fact that most of the stuff that walmart sells is from China. That's another thread in and of itself. Needless to say the recent media on Chineese products is just the tip of the iceberg on that matter.
I've warned for years, that we should be careful what we buy from china. Unfortunately the recent events have proved that to be a justified position.
I guess paying a little bit more for a product that was made in a Country that regulates and enforces qaulity control might not be such a bad idea after all.
Blessings,
dave
"Sometimes your the bug and sometimes your the windshield"
RE: Big Box Ban - Thoughts? - malolo - 09-20-2007
quote:
"It's sad to see the small shops shutting down.....honestly that small town feeling is one of the things that I liked...."
I'm with you, Dave.
I'd be more than happy, ecstatic in fact, to hand over a few pennies/nickels/dollars more on each purchase if we could magically have that spectacularly-beautiful ginger field back.
Walmart/Borders/Ross/OfficeMax/et.al...Home Depot and all the rest....they honestly don't save people money. Think about it. Long and hard. All they do is give people who are addicted to shopping a place to do it.
And as for the rest? The folks who don't need so muchMuchMUCHMUCH to survive? All they do is screw up the traffic, and screw up the view.
RE: Big Box Ban - Thoughts? - malolo - 09-20-2007
Oooops! Forgot to tell you how I honestly feel about the "Big-box ban," didn't I? Got to prattling on about what's already sprouted up over the last couple years, and completely ignored the question.
Ahhh hell.
Perhaps you can guess.
RE: Big Box Ban - Thoughts? - Dave M - 09-20-2007
All they do is give people who are addicted to shopping a place to do it.
Oh man is that the truth. We (my wife and kid and I) met my mother and father in Galveston (it's this nasty lil island). So the first few days we had to sit out a Tropical Depression (Just bands of heavy rain)
My mother, wife and kid went to wallmart like eight times a day it was very telling of your above statement.
Blessings,
dave
"Sometimes your the bug and sometimes your the windshield"
RE: Big Box Ban - Thoughts? - Genxor - 09-20-2007
Thanks for bringing up an important topic wjbillock !
I am not sure why Higa brought it up to begin with, though we have heard the "good ole boy" politics of protecting your political contributers interest ( grocery store ) or maybe he thought it was a good campaign issue. Only he can say.
Planning Commission member(s) do not like the "expansive parking lots", and Councilwoman Ford doesnt like big boxes period.
Personally , I am with Yagongs perspective that competition is good, for everyone.
It does seem that Walmart is singled out in the measure.
Anyone living on the Eastside knows that we are underserved in the shopping realm. The population steadily increases, and we are all forced to shop in a very few stores, unless you wish to drive to Kona.
The Big Box Ban is simply another item to win some political points.
We don't need to be "saved" from a Super Walmart or any other retail store.
Greg H.
RE: Big Box Ban - Thoughts? - Rob L - 09-20-2007
Being cynical I can't help but wonder if Wall Mart is behind the ban to stifle competition against its store.
Aloha,
Rob L
RE: Big Box Ban - Thoughts? - Carey - 09-20-2007
Most of the area of recent retail development in Hilo is on Hawaiian Homelands leases. All of this land is not subject to county ruling, so this ban will not really effect much of the land that has the 'baby' big boxes already...eachof them can grow up...as long as the leassor & state approve...the county has no say in this....It is not likely that the vote was a conspiracy. This vote will limit the ability for some landowners to compete in large scale retail development, but will make HHL land that much more desirable to lease.
RE: Big Box Ban - Thoughts? - missydog1 - 09-20-2007
just want to second AkoniV's post ...
mom and pop stores on the mainland are another matter ...
here, we are held hostage by shipping issues for our basic needs ... from the beginning, mainland retailers were resisted here by the BIG FIVE so they could have a monopoly -- not so that the little people could make a living as retailers.
There is plenty of niche for small shops producing arts and crafts and clothing that is unique. For items that are not unique, only competition will give us a decent selection at decent price.
I renovated a house here on the East side before Home Depot opened. You know what, it SUCKED, the prices, selection and service were dreadful. When Home Depot opened, it was a world of difference, AND the offerings by other merchants IMPROVED because they couldn't get along any more running poor businesses that people had to patronize whether they were good or not.
Being on an island changes everything ... it's just not comparable to the mainland -- when I lived on the mainland I never shopped at Walmart or Kmart or even Sears ... I looked down on them ... lol, how times have changed for me.
RE: Big Box Ban - Thoughts? - Aaron S - 09-21-2007
Malolo, I've lived in Kona for 31 years, my entire life. I can remember my Mom spending FIFTY DOLLARS for shorts when I was younger.
I also remember my parents having to shop for us on the mainland or Hilo because it was cheaper.
So I welcome the big box retailers. I guess you like paying 50.00 for shorts ?
Edited by - Aaron S on 09/21/2007 05:48:35
RE: Big Box Ban - Thoughts? - Bob Orts - 09-21-2007
I think it will help if the “Bog Box” is placed in context.
A big box ban WILL NOT prevent a Wal-Mart, K-Mart or Target from opening.
A big box ban WILL NOT prevent a Sears, JC Penny, or Macy’s from opening.
A big box ban WILL NOT prevent a Costco or Sam’s Club from opening.
A big box ban WILL NOT prevent a Home Depot or Lowes from opening.
A big box ban WILL NOT prevent a Safeway, Kroger, or Winn-Dixie from opening.
A big box ban WILL NOT stifle competition.
What a big box ban will prevent is those mega combined stores like a Super Wal-Mart or Super Target. These are the store where you have a regular large discount retailer combined with a full size supermarket, combined with maybe an auto tire and lube shop and a restaurant and maybe even a bank or other smaller operations, all under one BIG BOX roof.
However, the real issue behind big boxes on the mainland isn’t the store (although Wal-Mart is the favorite target) it’s the economic, traffic, environmental, noise, economic development, community concerns, disruptions, and even the hostage taking of government. Big Box sites are starting to become major problems for communities.
A big box band is only about the size and scope of a single PHYSICAL store.