Salt Lake City Considers Ban On Retail Chains

"Salt Lake City may join many other cities nationwide in seeking to support local businesses by banning chain stores and restaurants. The proposed ban has risen to the forefront due to recent evictions in the Sugar Land Neighborhood. The ordinance may take several years to come into effect, and will apply in specific neighborhoods like 9th and 9th, downtown, and Sugar Land. Another city council member is proposing an ordinance that would simply require architecture to be integrated with its surrounds, rather than the "cookie cutter" facades and buildings that many chains use."

"'This is not anti-development. It's actually pro-development. It's providing and preserving those kinds of places that attract huge numbers of people and also provide what a lot of residents want to have in their neighborhoods,' the mayor said."

"Ellen Reddick, president of the Vest Pocket Business Coalition that promotes local businesses, said small-business owners are 'very, very interested' in both proposals."

"'The big chains can definitely hurt unique businesses. They also bring attention to the fact we offer a higher level of service,' she said. 'What's happening right now in Sugar House is waking people up to the value of the eclectic, unique community we have with local businesses.'"

"She wishes the city had promoted their ideas long before Sugar House sounded the alarm."

"Councilman Carlton Christensen finds the mayor's proposal problematic. 'Most business owners at some point hope to do well enough to open multiple stores.'"

Thanks to Liz Schuh