While it would be great to buy food and household supplies at 25% cheaper than our local groceries, which is what Dollar General has to offer, everyone should be informed that those prices are not fixed and they will rise.

Historically Dollar General moves into a rural area like ours, the local grocery goes under, then DG hikes their prices. If they don't maintain a profit for a period of time afterwards, they shut down, leaving the area with no store. That is bad enough, but DG typically only hires a few employees (5-8 is their statement for this particular store), pays minimum wage, and follows Wal-Mart's model of less-than full-time so that employees must obtain government benefits. Our local grocers are Union, and employ a lot of locals at a very good living wage.

DG is going to have a significant impact on Pioneer, Thriftway, both Pharmacies (Westport Pharmacy is already reporting impact), Dennis Co, and several others. We all know the multi-generation owners of these businesses, we know the employees, and we know how hard they work to supply us with product that we request at fair prices. Pioneer in particular goes above and beyond there.

South Bend has a long term vision statement called a Shoreline Management Program that names several Cities as models to emulate. Not a single one of those Cities have a mini-Wal Mart on their valuable riverfront property. It also states a goal to build parks, specifically naming vacant lots between streets that this particular lot falls into. Every one of those Cities SB wishes to emulate has pedestrian/dog/bike/kayak/family-friendly businesses, parks for activities, a welcoming and homey appearance driving through that encourages visitors to stop.
Situating a box store right in the middle of that on the riverfront shatters that entire image. Locating it between the DMV and the blue Condo's on that curve makes for a traffic hazard and pedestrian risk. All of these things combined add up to nothing but negatives. 

A Council member stated himself tonight (8-27-20) "One thing that puzzled SB was why no one came to talk to the Mayor or Supervisor". Well, Councilman, no one knew about it. We have been trying. We are continuing to try. This petition will give everyone the opportunity to speak to the Mayor and Supervisor and City Council by signing your name. If you are from outside the area, sign your name and leave a comment stating you drive through town and how you would feel seeing this mini Wal-Mart coming into town. Urge the City of South Bend to abide by their own Shoreline Management Program.

Thank you.