1 On Nov 27, 09:27 pm, Floyd Holcom wrote:

It has been a long time since I have been to this site, but now that you ask of what you could add to your Blog, my answer would be “Data”.

Did you know that there are more than 27 businesses that have either collapsed or moved out of Astoria in the past year? Did you know that small business provides 87% of the donations to non-profits and other organizations that support our area, like shelters, hospital, parks, chamber activities, united way, political campaigns, museums? The other 13% is individuals that are either retired or providing these funds because of the work they’re are employeed with or the funds they recieve because of retirement. You don’t see a lot of people asking for assistance providing donations to the local baseball team. You also do see peoples names that provide these donations that do own small businesses.

Data. Anyway, I just thought I would throw that out there since historical facts don;t fib, but might provide answers to those asking why.

Having just left the planning commission this evening, I realized that our city needs to be more favorable to attracting small business, not pushing them out.

Support your honest small business and keep them here or provide them a reason to move here, it will provide answers you only wish we could see.

FE Holcom

3 On Nov 28, 12:32 pm, walter richards wrote:

Wrong, wrong, wrong.

Their potential is 100%. The maximum potential does not change, based on how many businesses there are. That’s what competition is about. I guess their potential would change if we were under a socialist economy that told people where to shop, and divided the population evenly among the potential shops.

And anyone who thinks “mom and pop” can’t compete with “the big boys” is naive. “Mom and Pop” can beat the “big boys”, IF they provide better service – even if their prices are slightly higher. The problem with many of the local stores, is they DON’T provide better service – they’re too used to not having competition.

The other problem, of course, is most people also prefer to get all their shopping done at one location. Perhaps some of the local merchants should form a co-op, and operate under one roof?

5 On Nov 28, 03:24 pm, Champ wrote:

On Nov 28, 12:32 pm, walter richards wrote
And anyone who thinks “mom and pop” can’t compete with “the big boys” is naive. “Mom and Pop” can beat the “big boys”, IF they provide better service – even if their prices are slightly higher. The problem with many of the local stores, is they DON’T provide better service – they’re too used to not having competition.
___________________________________________________________

Pure poppycock with a generous heaping helping of balderdash on the side, Walter. Cheaper prices always wins the market. Mom and Pop can’t purchase in volumes like a big chain can, so they are effectively shut our from competing

Case in point. Men’s clothing stores. They used to be a fixture in all small town commerical retail areas USA. Now only seen in urban malls. And you wanna talk about service? That suit/sport coat could be taken back any number of times to be let out or taken in as many times as needed to be. Those slacks your mom bought you as a sophomore would be let out every year til graduation.

7 On Nov 28, 04:39 pm, walter richards wrote:

Nonsence, Champ.

I worked at the RadioShack FRANCHISES (a “mom and pop” operation) when Costco and Freddies came in. Instead of losing business because of their cheaper prices, the franchises got MORE business. Why? Because we were more knowledgable about electronics than the competition, and we treated the customer better.

Of course, it probably also helped that we were located close to them, so the customer didn’t have to travel far from their other shopping. Again, people like it when their shopping is all together.

9 On Nov 29, 05:05 am, Emil Nyberg wrote:

If it was not for Builders Supply and the local businesses there would be no playgrounds for our kids. It is our busionesses that give back to the communities. Just ask Walgreen’s for a donation and it is very hard to get. Home Depot sends all their profits to Atlanta and even prints their own ads in other words take all we can, give back nothing.

Cheapest is not always what cost the least. Giving back to the community needs to be factored in.

That is why we need family wage jobs, when over 40% of our students need assistance to get breakfast or lunch something needs to be done!

11 On Nov 29, 10:35 am, walter richards wrote:

“Mom and pop” aren’t competing on a national level, they’re competing with the local (say) WalMart. And if they’ve been around for a number of years before WalMart comes in, yet haven’t built a loyal customer base … there’s a reason for it. And that reason is probably lack of service.

I still contend the main reason people shop “box stores” over “mom and pop” has more to do with multiple items in one location (pharmacy, grocery, clothes) than with price. The “proof” is that most people I know tend to shop their local “mom and pop” stores when they’re after whatever item that store sells – but go to the “box” store when they need multiple items, rather than running all around town. Hence my suggestion that some of these “mom and pop” stores should form a co-op to compete with the “box” stores.

13 On Nov 29, 11:03 am, Patrick McGee wrote:

Has the Non-Compete Clause been abandoned by City Planning/Community Development Departments?

How many Pharmacies can a small community support?

Walgreens?
Rite-Aid?
Fred Meyers?
Costco?
who else?

All within spitting distance?

Process of elimination maybe?

15 On Nov 29, 01:18 pm, Champ wrote:

Okay, I’m getting the picture now. Let’s turn Clatsop County in to one gigantic Radio Shack!

Because only Radio Shack can save us from the greedy corporations, land grabbing developers, captialist pigs, and evil monopolists!

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