From loyal reader Rose:
Hi Jason.
Walking down Broadway and noticed some work being done in the old Legends
space. A store called lululemon athletica will be opening very soon. Check
out the website at www.lululemon.com/. Should be a great addition to
downtown and the local community.Rose
10 Comments
Onaroll, there most definitely is a double standard going on in regards to what chain stores are "cool" enough to come downtown and which ones are not. Urban Outfitters was demonized, and there is not a peep about other places. If Starbucks came downtown, there will be massive protests. If the Apple Store came downtown they would be given the keys to the city. This is what many of us in this discussion are talking about.
Personally, I don’t mind chain stores downtown, and I don’t mind people protesting them. I just can’t understand why chain store is worse than another.
BTW thank you for your contributions to the Asheville Grown campaign. Personally I feel it’s done an excellent job raising awareness for small businesses.
Folks, I’m a hippie (whatever that has to do with anything), a downtown independent business owner, and involved in the volunteer, grassroots Buy Local education effort known as the Asheville Grown Business Alliance (AGBA). I have to say I think your "double standard" concerns are off the mark.
AGBA has never protested a chain store opening or even suggested that someone not patronize one. We focus on the positive, simply promoting the idea that when you choose to spend your money in a locally-owned business, more of that money stays in our local economy, more jobs are created and the staying power of the money has a ripple effect for other local businesses that benefits Asheville as a whole.
Big (and small) chain stores have their place in our economy; they also have huge advertising budgets and economy-of-scale buying power. Little independent businesses get together and put posters in our own windows, print t-shirts, and they’re suddenly the "chain police?’ For asking you to think about how some of your dollars might benefit your own community if spent locally? Really?
I don’t think there’s any hippies commenting. We are all pretty much in agreement that there’s a double standard going on.
Get over it, hippies. It’s called commerce and it is what keeps our economy (and global economy) going. We don’t produce enough locally to support everyone here and never will- particularly with the horrible work ethic and general malaise found in Asheville.
I haven’t seen any complaints about Mast General Store either, odd. Also, isn’t Barley’s a chain as well (I know there is one in Greenville, don’t know if they are connected)?
Wont happen, its a Feel-good Chain that is considered hip and cool, it will NEVER happen. Didnt happen at any of the same type of chains that are in down town.
I must agree that these guys aren’t getting the warm welcome that Urban Outfitters had. Where’s the protests?
I don’t often agree with Asheville Dweller but s/he is spot on here. There is this gaping double standard by the downtown chain police. They love eating at Mellow Mushroom, Doc Chey’s, and getting ice cream atMarble Slab, but when Urban Outfitters, Subway, or Jimmy John’s opens up the sky is falling.
Uh oh another chain http://www.lululemon.com/stores/
Oh wait its considered cool and hip so the hypicrit bunch will open it with open arms.
Goody Goody! Another chain store (and this ones’s from Canada) comes to downtown Asheville. Won’t be long and we’ll be rid of those pescy "Buy Local" people and their signs.