A Pox on the 'Big Box'?

Much of the discussion at last night's City Council meeting was focused on the impact of "big box" retailers on local development patterns and the economy of Columbia and Monroe County.

Two citizens addressing the Council supported imposition of a ban on "big box" stores; both cited the book Big-Box Swindle by Stacey Mitchell, chair of the American Independent Business Alliance. In her book, Mitchell argues that the growth of mega-retailers--from big boxes like Wal-Mart and Home Depot to chains like Starbucks and Old Navy--leads to the decline of locally-based independent businesses, and she further argues that current government policy unfairly supports expansion of the "big box" enterprises. Mitchell contends that communities composed of many small, locally-owned businesses are healthier and more prosperous than those dominated by a few large chains--precisely the argument advanced by economic development professionals for economic gardening (more about that in a future post).

Responding to this citizen input, the City Council determined to look at both sides of this issue. The City will engage planning consultant Jim Pona, who drafted Columbia's 20/20 Master Plan, to examine the pros and cons of establishing a moratorium on "big box" stores and report back to the Plan Commission, which will recommend future policy.