03-09-2010, 10:11 AM
quote:I would completely agree if it was not for the fact that communities all accross the US have been smacked in the face with similar thinking.
Originally posted by Rob Tucker
While it is true in theory that a commercial zoned property is fertile ground for planting most any future commercial venture the population of the Red Road area - even at any potential build out - is likely not sufficient to support corporate chains.
Remember, Wal-Mart now have stores that are designed to fit in 5,000 sq feet to 15,000 sq feet. They are small general stores. They are starting to appear in areas where people traditionally though a Wal-Mart would never appear. How many communities welcomed with open arms a "Neighborhood Market" development pitch only to find out after it was built that "Neighborhood Market" is a brand name of Wal-Mart’s markets. How many Communities have approved these small stores called market sides (side dish size stores) only to find out Market Side is a Wal-Mart brand mini store? I bet you they all though the same thing. And guess what, these communities are now powerless to stop it.
By the way, there are McExpress, McStop and McDrives all designed to fit in spaces as small as 1,000 square feet. These are McDonalds that figured out how to leverage the marketing of McDonalds while maintaining a store small enough to service limited populations. I also bet those communities who through they would never see a McDonalds along some dirt road were just as surprised to see the min-golden arches appear. And like Wal-Mart’s surprise, these communities are now powerless to stop it.
Do not at any time fool yourself into thinking that these large "corporate" chains have not set their sights on rural boondocks nowhere. They have and they do. Do you think for a minute that if a McExpress opened up that people wouldn't come? Why do you think one national chain is looking at land where 130 and 137 comes together? They know that with tourist going to view the lava flows and residents, its viable to open a killer (name recognition that drives away local competition) in that area.
Never underestimate the power of investor/developers because they can run you over and never skip a beat. They don’t care one bit about what will or won’t happen in Seaview, they do care about what doors it will open for them. If the people open the doors, they can’t go crying when a 2,000 pound gorilla comes flying in. The people may only see the “Seaview Community”, but developer/investors sees doors opening all over Hawaii County.