Big Box Ban - Thoughts?

[Bob Orts]

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.