Stinging retail development data point of the day: Birmingham, AL (yes, Alabama) has a Whole Foods and we don't.
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Comments
Well Birmingham does have more than 250,000 people. That's larger than Albany, Troy and Schenectady combined. Not to mention the metro area has more than 1.1 million people.
I want a Whole Foods to, but what's wrong with Birmingham?
... said JB on May 19, 2008 at 4:22 PM | link
Although I agree that Trader Joe's and Whole Foods are great places to shop, I also wonder why we really think that one should open in our area. If the answer is because we want access to fresh, quality and often natural products, then I say: Fantastic. But if our craving is a consequence of the "green buzz," then I think that we need to look a little closer at our Capital District.
As the TU article points out, possible locations for a TJ's or Whole Foods might be Saratoga or Clifton Park. In either of these cases, people from the whole region will drive there in order to do their shopping (just as happens in Fresno, CA...I've been to that strip mall several times).
"Trendsetter" retailers may skip over the Capital District because their marketing research tells them we are frugal. But I say, we have the resources at our disposal to be trendsetters all on our own. With places like Honest Weight, with CSA and our many neighborhood farmer's markets we are lucky enough to be able to reap the benefits of local, organic and bountiful harvests without having to get in our cars and drive 5-15 miles.
I am not against Trader Joe's or Whole Foods by any means, but I do believe that their are plenty of ways in which we can improve the quality of life and eco-awareness in Albany and all over the Capital District without bringing in another far-flung, boxed retailer; trendy, green or otherwise.
... said Amanda on May 20, 2008 at 12:05 PM | link