An idyllic Oregon town has banned dollar stores following backlash over the opening of a Dollar General store in the county.
Joseph, which is nestled among the Wallowa Mountains in the northeast part of the state and is home to just a few thousand residents, passed a law last month banning specific types of businesses from operating within city limits.
The law does not identify any stores by name, but it effectively means that chains, including dollar stores, cannot operate in the city. Oregon Public Broadcasting reported.
The move follows campaigns by locals who fought against the opening of a Dollar General store in the nearby town of Wallowa earlier this year.
Residents want to protect local businesses amid rumours that the budget store plans to open more branches in the area.
Joseph is nestled among the Wallowa Mountains in the northeast of the state and is home to only a few thousand residents.
The legislation specifically prohibits “formula” companies from operating in Joseph.
It defines a formula business as a storefront that is required to have “prescribed standards and features, particularly for exterior color schemes, signage or architectural design.”
It makes exceptions for gas stations, banks and some other types of businesses, but effectively bans most chain stores and restaurants from opening in the picturesque town.
Joseph Mayor Lisa Collier said the city wants to preserve local small businesses.
Local businesswoman Erika Polmar co-founded No Dollar General, a campaign group that formed after Tennessee-based Dollar General decided to build the store in nearby Wallowa.
“Dollar Generals have become a symbol of a community in crisis,” the group’s website reads.
‘Their presence sends a message to other companies that a community lacks the wealth to merit investment.
‘Dollar General’s low prices and wide range of products may drive customers away from local businesses. Smaller, independent retailers may struggle to compete, leading to closures and a reduction in community diversity.’
Two chains, Dollar General and Dollar Tree, operate the majority of dollar stores nationwide. Dollar Tree owns all Family Dollar stores.
While the group was unable to prevent the Wallowa store from opening, it remains adamant that the company not expand to Joseph or nearby Enterprise.
For Polmar, the legislation is a significant victory for the campaign.
“The city of Joseph received a lot of pressure at its last planning commission meeting and City Hall was inundated with calls and emails from citizens saying they wanted to make sure the city was protected,” he told Oregon Public Broadcasting.
“Fortunately, City Hall and city administrators listened and took action very quickly.”
Joseph Mayor Lisa Collier told the Wallowa County ChiefWe want smaller shops, locally owned shops, specialty boutiques, mom-and-pop shops..’
And Joseph is not alone in his fight against the aggressive expansion of supermarket chains.
TO report Last year it was revealed that at least 75 communities have blocked dollar store development proposals since 2019.
Meanwhile, at least 50 cities and towns have put in place measures to limit new dollar stores, according to the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, an organization that criticizes the impact of corporate retailers on local communities.
Residents are adamant in their desire to preserve local businesses amid rumors that the budget store plans to open more locations in Wallowa County
“Dollar Generals have become a symbol of a community in crisis,” reads No Dollar General’s website (pictured: the idyllic town of Joseph)
Dollar stores may have a more devastating impact on rural communities like Wallowa County than on urban areas, new research shows.
When dollar stores move into a rural area, local supermarkets are three times more likely to close than those in an urban area, a study finds. report Earlier this year, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
“What Dollar General does well is it targets low-income communities and communities that are struggling,” Polmar said.
“Unfortunately, they will have business because people are eager to find deals.”