Ald. Howard Brookins was there today along with his friend and neighboring Alderman (well our very own) Freddrenna Lyle. Basically he discussed all the companies that he approached about opening another anchor store at Chatham Market. He went through a decent gamut Whole Foods, Target, Kohl's, Meijer, Costco, etc.
In his account today, Ald. Brookins was very reluctant to talk to Wal-Mart, however, they were the most likely to come into this area and build a store. They could be the other anchor along with Lowe's at Chatham Market and really get things going at this largely vacant shopping center. Unfortunately as of now there isn't movement on this issue since it appears to be bottled up in the city's Committee on Finance.
As for the title of this post, well that's according to Brookins. If someone from Whole Foods actually said that then I think they may have missed a great opportunity to introduce south side residents to their organic products. It's a shame too since generally they're considered a great company to work for. Especially since there are many who don't feel the same about Wal-Mart.
If you've paid attention to the health care debate you might have heard something about their John Mackey's (Whole Foods CEO) position on health care reform. He has his own solution that has left him at odds with his more "progressive" customers with them threatening to boycott his stores.
Anyway during the course of this blog, I always scoped out other grocery stores that we could bring into this community fresh produce. Especially for the corner of 87th and King Drive that was once home to a black owned grocer, Food Basket. Whole Foods probably could be one good candidate to come to our community, but it's unfortunate that they may not open a "beach head" into a community that may have a need for organic foods.
But I'll tell you what. The CEO of that company John Mackey has a blog. You can talk directly to him in the comments of those posts and let them know that the south side wants in on a Whole Foods. They may have missed out on a spot at Chatham Market, but somewhere they can build a store in an under-served community. An under-served community hopefully will be very receptive to not only getting fresh produce, but also organic foods which is believed to be much healthier than any produce that has been chemically treated.
LET MACKEY KNOW!!!
I attended the meeting although I initially intended not to but felt compelled after a back and forth debate on Brookins FB page several days ago.
ReplyDeleteYes I believe he has approached a number of companies and they have said no. But I believe that some would come with some aggresive grassroots marketing( i.e. neighborhood video, CBO brochures, etc).
I don't believe that Whole Foods and Costco were that unwilling to entertain a store in our community because the facts speak for themselves. Home Depot on 87th is in the top 10% based on revenue. Chatham 14 is the number 2 movie theater, Target on Cottage is a top 10% revenue store. Also, as far as Costco our neighborhood demographics are not that much different than Bedford Park and Niles.
In all fairness to Whole Foods I believe they did pass not because of demographics but because they have supporters in Hyde Park who are aggressively lobbying for them to come. Also, the large number of fast food stores (5 McDonalds in a 5 mile radius, 2 Burger Kings, 2 White castles, etc.).
wallmart will be bad news to chatham community, for every job wall mart creat, 1.5 is lost
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, that's nonsense and you offer nothing to support your statement. Please specify what jobs -- what specific businesses in the 21st or adjacent wards -- you think will be lost if Walmart opens at Chatham Market. Make sure to factor in the inevitable number of additional jobs that will come with the other retailers and restaurants that will open in the center if Walmart comes. Factor in the documented savings Walmart will offer those who shop there and the benefit to their household budgets. Factor in the increased value of real estate and homes in the community when there's a good supply of stong retail and other businesses. As I recall one woman saying at a community meeting on the subject, "Why can't we have something nice for a change?"
ReplyDeletewallmart in business of every business. jobs? the grocery stores like jewel on 87th-the one ald. brookins don't like-, aldi, food for less, chatham foods, petes produce. jobs like TNT barber shop on cottage grove, jobs like Williams' land scape, creative floral and gifts on 79th. staples, home depot, best buy all will feel it and your cousin will be laid off.
ReplyDeletefor every job wallmart create 1.5 will be lost. challenge me. do your research. wallmart now a days are going after TOYS R US.