Big Box Retail: Beyond Yes or No

In 1859, the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company, later to be known as the A & P, opened its first store on Vesey Street in Manhattan. In the next decade the business opened several other stores in surrounding cities, becoming the first chain store in the United States. In the next 150 years, chain stores and national retailers swept the country.

Throughout that time they have been praised for their convenience, low prices and wide selection, and vilified for low wages, perceived disregard for the local community, and the competition they offer locally-owned stores.

This debate reached fever pitch in the 1990’s and early 2000’s as several national retail chains quickly expanded throughout the United States and Canada, often establishing large “box” stores in their new locations. In general, the decision to allow national retail into communities, especially small communities, has been thought of as a choice between preserving a sense of place and creating more-convenient shopping.

Ferndale (population 10,800), located in the northwest corner of Washington State, is one of hundreds of communities throughout North America that in recent years has sought to preserve its community identity with respect to retail development. However, the manner in which the city has decided to approach the topic is unusual, if not unique.

Read the rest of the article by Mayor Gary Jensen of Ferndale, WA in the October 2008 issue of CitiesGoGreen.

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