Comments on: Light a store, save a town

By: JB, Houston, Tx

JB, Houston, Tx — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 20:04:10 +0000

I used to work at Stage stores corporate office and I am pretty surprised they pulled out. Their biggest strategy was bringing brand names to small towns. They survive in some pretty small towns.

By: Lamar Joy Ozark Ar. 72949

Lamar Joy Ozark Ar. 72949 — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 03:34:33 +0000

I've been through Powell, and was suprised to see it's name highlighted. Now I see I shouldn't have been. Way to go Powell, and God bless.

By: Mark Palos Park IL

Mark Palos Park IL — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:43:31 +0000

Simple.

Way to go, Powell!

Good job.

Literally.

By: Jacob Reynolds, Oklahoma City, OK

Jacob Reynolds, Oklahoma City, OK — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:31:04 +0000

Ms. Hamashige,

Your article about the “Merc” in Powell, Wyoming was well written and equally intriguing. I am Project Manager for MetaFund, a community development financial institution (CDFI) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Among other things, our firm works with low-income towns and rural entities with tax credits, business start-ups, and the details involved with both.

I would be interested in finding out any information about the Powell community and their project. Anything from available contacts in Powell (or other towns doing similar projects) to your personal opinion about the idea would be appreciated. MetaFund could potentially be interested in developing a similar program. I will look forward to a response at your convenience.

By: Marsha Hendeshot Huntsville,Texas

Marsha Hendeshot Huntsville,Texas — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 03:04:59 +0000

uh……. Wal-Mart associates what to pack up and quit so bad they just don't know how, or where to begin to start their own business, they need to have some sound business groups,
and SMA to help them..As Americans we need to give them that nudge and encouragement…

Wal-Mart has them thinking they are locked in there forever, that they have NO other place to go, while the whole time more than 3/4 of all there what used to be full time associates 32-40 a wk. are now forced to work part time 25-31 hrs a wk. with NO Benefits…except government assistance…And we pay for it…

while Wal-Mart gets a tax break…..
All they get is the humiliation of working for
The Worlds Largest Retailer and being on food stamps…

Wal-Mart operates on one thing and one thing only W-M
Stocks, Shareholders, and investors….

They don't even report their state taxes to states, just a small percentages…..the fact is they don't report anything
that BIG loophole and lobbyists see to that….

I could go on and on about Wal-Mart…being a former
associate I know excellently what they are going through
and having to endure..I make sure they know that I care..
For I Boycott Wal-Mart..I just love going in there and
calling for a Manager for what ever !!
and let them know that this is unacceptable having to wait in line this long or I'll go in on Mon or Tues..buy a boat load and then on Sat. take it all back…while I am having to wait is this long line and or a Manager to show up….customers just don't quite what to make of me…but I refuse to be walked or trampled on every again any where…One W-M Att. Manager made that mistake and he NO longer works for W-M…

I could go on and on and on about W-M…But just remember they are NOT this great company they want America to see taking care of there own, just the opposite….. we DO it for them………

By: Loretta

Loretta — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:31:51 +0000

Typical American "can do" attitude. Have a problem? Create a solution!

If the Powers That Be just get out of our way today's problems will be opportunities for those with this kind of mindset. The spirit of our forefathers is alive and well in the heartland.

By: sue, great britain

sue, great britain — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:42:00 +0000

Good for Powewll and its people. It is an indication that the 'can do' mentality that forged the USA has not died. I'm an expat and dual national now, loong in the tooth. Nonetheless,may you people thrive and prosper in the difficult days ahead. May theLord continue to bless you.

By: Sandra, San Marcos Texas

Sandra, San Marcos Texas — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 08:06:43 +0000

If we all come together, in any town, city, etc., we can keep our commerce LOCAL. Why must there be a Wal Mart on every intersection???? Quite an inspiring story.

By: Cathy Koon, St. Anthony, ID

Cathy Koon, St. Anthony, ID — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 01:32:05 +0000

Sharon Earhart and the people in Powell have become the beacons of light for small communities like St. Anthony, Idaho, where we are attempting to sell 1,000 shares to open the Fremont Emporium. (After we named the store, we discovered St. Anthony had an Emporium back in the early 1900s. A good omen?) The continued success of the Merc gives us hope in these days of high gas prices and talk about recession. What better time to circle the wagons and support our local businesses.

By: Carl Moore, Albany, New York

Carl Moore, Albany, New York — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 01:21:57 +0000

Politicians aren't going to save us, but this type of activity will. I deliberately shop downtown every chance I get and have never spent a dime at WalMart in my life…

By: Scott, Wichita, KS

Scott, Wichita, KS — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 22:43:07 +0000

Somebody please send this inspiring story to the knuckleheads in Washington who continue to think that American free enterprise can't possibly survive without government intervention. Obviously, the entrepreneurial spirit that is largely responsible for this country's success is alive and well in Wyoming.

By: Vern Russell

Vern Russell — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:50:26 +0000

Great story,We are attempting the same concept in St. Anthony Id. patterned after the Powell Merc with some advice from their board of dir. Our biggest sceptics and roadblocks are our own business owners here. I am showing them copies of your story on the Merc and the coments made to date hoping to change thier minds. We are excited here to be trying. Our little town of 3500 people is on the main rt. to Yellowstone park from the bigger cities in Id. and Utah with thousands of cars passeing us by daily. We are 13 Mi from K Mart and Walmart in Rexburg. Can You send a copy of your report to our local media in Rexburg and Idaho Falls. thanks Vern Russell Board member St. Anthony, Id. we need support!!!!!

By: Jerry Rudd, Decatur, GA

Jerry Rudd, Decatur, GA — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:50:05 +0000

It isn't just about Walmart bashing as some here have speculated-it's about pride and hope, and a desire to have thinfs differently in your own backyard. Imagine the satisfaction of possibly being able to walk from a home close by, and get your shopping and errands out of the way, and get some exercise, too. Wow, not having to expend the gas to go out to the mall!. It used to work well in America, back when we weren't all afraid of each other. So many towns could save themselves in this way. It just takes pride and the openness to change.

By: Scott, Montclair NJ

Scott, Montclair NJ — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:35:38 +0000

Fantastic. Small shops are the way to go, certainly better than Wal-Mart, Target etc. The money stays in the local economy helping local people.

By: Shawn MacDonald in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

Shawn MacDonald in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:44:42 +0000

Great story! The American spirit still lives in Powell, Wyoming. This is truly inspiring.

By: Cotta, Wall NJ

Cotta, Wall NJ — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:38:42 +0000

It would be nice if every town, big city, little city would put a little thought into who they allow to move in. My town has been virtually destroyed by big brand stores and greed. These people took their town back and created jobs along the way. I think that is the most important thing a town can do.

By: Lou Hoover

Lou Hoover — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 05:44:31 +0000

Great story. The big box stores are destroying the US one small town at a time.

By: Michele in Columbia, SC

Michele in Columbia, SC — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 03:10:34 +0000

I hope your reporter will check into the role that the city govt. played to support the revitalization on Main Street. Powell is a great town. It has Northwest College. I heard from a friend that the city council started revitalization efforts some 10 years ago to encourage the development of downtown Powell. Please provide more details on all the efforts that went into this good result. Good slide show and it is a Pamida…not a Walmart toward Cody:) I think Cody would be a great place to live!

By: Jody Jones, Klamath Falls, Oregon

Jody Jones, Klamath Falls, Oregon — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 23:29:10 +0000

Way to go Powell! This is true "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" in action. My next road trip will include a stop in Powell, Wyoming.

By: george miller, Clark, Wy

george miller, Clark, Wy — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 22:10:52 +0000

The Merc was founded before commodity prices took off. This area farms beans, barley and sugar beets, not the most lucrative crops. It truly was community spirit that built the store and not an anti Wal-mart meta-narrative.