Chains
[ Excerpt from SB Independent, 9/22/2005 ]
Big Boys, Go Home
Activists Argue Unsuccessfully Against Corporate Chains
by Nick Welsh
... According to... Pat Hiles, the onslaught of chains is stripping Santa Barbara of its unique character, which she argued is bad for the city’s tourist business. “Santa Barbara is a world-class tourist destination and I don’t think McDonald’s and Taco Bell add to that ambience,” she said. Because chains can and will pay higher rents than independent entrepreneurs, Hiles contended the proposed restriction would reduce the market pressures that currently keep smaller businesses from competing more successfully in Santa Barbara. Hiles added that seven California cities—including Solvang and Arroyo Grande—already have laws restricting or banning chains, some dating back to the 1970s. Few, she said, have been sued at all, none successfully.
None of the three downtown business leaders participating in the panel discussion, however, were buying it. Chamber of Commerce Director Steve Cushman—along with Downtown Organization chief Marshall Rose and Hispanic Chamber director Luis Villegas—argued that Santa Barbara’s existing regulations are so stringent, expensive, and difficult to comply with, that even if the chains were chased out there was no guarantee that smaller businesses would come forward to take their place. Besides, said Cushman, only 2 percent of the 400 restaurants and bars citywide qualified as “formula” businesses, and only 15 percent downtown. And that, he said, was not a problem.
Amid much friendly banter and teasing, City Councilmember Das Williams begged to differ. “I’m not so sure the solution is there yet,” he told Hiles, “but I think there’s a problem.” Williams expressed concern Santa Barbara could find itself sucked into the “any town” vortex of “McSouthern California.” He warned that Wal-Mart—now seeking an outlet in Ventura—might next assimilate Santa Barbara. Williams took issue with Starbucks, suggesting the coffee franchise was trying to corner the market and thereby suck all business away from the competition. And he confessed taking pride in having voted against Target, which last year tried wooing its way onto the city’s airport land in Goleta; the software company that opened there instead, noted Williams, pays its workers $70,000 a year.
... Williams suggested that Hiles reduce the scope of her ordinance. Limit it to downtown or certain neighborhoods, he suggested, don’t make it citywide, or place a cap on the number of outlets rather than banning them outright. Rose took exception to the notion that chains should be regarded as inherently bad. Some good local businesses became successful chains, he said, pointing to Blenders, Hamburger Habit, and the Natural Café. Any business that served customers what they wanted, he argued, had a legitimate right to operate in Santa Barbara.
news
Big Boys, Go Home
Activists Argue Unsuccessfully Against Corporate Chains
by Nick Welsh
... According to... Pat Hiles, the onslaught of chains is stripping Santa Barbara of its unique character, which she argued is bad for the city’s tourist business. “Santa Barbara is a world-class tourist destination and I don’t think McDonald’s and Taco Bell add to that ambience,” she said. Because chains can and will pay higher rents than independent entrepreneurs, Hiles contended the proposed restriction would reduce the market pressures that currently keep smaller businesses from competing more successfully in Santa Barbara. Hiles added that seven California cities—including Solvang and Arroyo Grande—already have laws restricting or banning chains, some dating back to the 1970s. Few, she said, have been sued at all, none successfully.
None of the three downtown business leaders participating in the panel discussion, however, were buying it. Chamber of Commerce Director Steve Cushman—along with Downtown Organization chief Marshall Rose and Hispanic Chamber director Luis Villegas—argued that Santa Barbara’s existing regulations are so stringent, expensive, and difficult to comply with, that even if the chains were chased out there was no guarantee that smaller businesses would come forward to take their place. Besides, said Cushman, only 2 percent of the 400 restaurants and bars citywide qualified as “formula” businesses, and only 15 percent downtown. And that, he said, was not a problem.
Amid much friendly banter and teasing, City Councilmember Das Williams begged to differ. “I’m not so sure the solution is there yet,” he told Hiles, “but I think there’s a problem.” Williams expressed concern Santa Barbara could find itself sucked into the “any town” vortex of “McSouthern California.” He warned that Wal-Mart—now seeking an outlet in Ventura—might next assimilate Santa Barbara. Williams took issue with Starbucks, suggesting the coffee franchise was trying to corner the market and thereby suck all business away from the competition. And he confessed taking pride in having voted against Target, which last year tried wooing its way onto the city’s airport land in Goleta; the software company that opened there instead, noted Williams, pays its workers $70,000 a year.
... Williams suggested that Hiles reduce the scope of her ordinance. Limit it to downtown or certain neighborhoods, he suggested, don’t make it citywide, or place a cap on the number of outlets rather than banning them outright. Rose took exception to the notion that chains should be regarded as inherently bad. Some good local businesses became successful chains, he said, pointing to Blenders, Hamburger Habit, and the Natural Café. Any business that served customers what they wanted, he argued, had a legitimate right to operate in Santa Barbara.
news
Posted by Malcolm on
9/26/2005
1 Comments
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