There is currently a movement underway to stop Trader Joe’s from moving into 2309 Lyndale Avenue, a half block south of the Wedge Co-op. Trader Joe’s is looking to anchor the “Le Parisien” apartment building, which has been under construction for years. Traffic and liquor licensing are the biggest issues raising ire among locals.
Traffic is already terrible in that area due to the popularity of the Wedge. Trader Joe’s would be a mainstream destination that would bring in loads more traffic. Have you ever tried to park at the Trader Joe’s in St. Louis Park? Aye yai yai!
Furthermore, in order to open this store, Trader Joe’s is seeking a variance in the state liquor licensing law that would allow them to sell beer and wine. There is no pursuit to change the current licensing laws, only to make exception for Trader Joe’s.
Certainly the Wedge can hold its own against Trader Joe’s as far as food goes. Sure some people will love Joe’s plastic-wrapped produce, but chances are they aren’t going to spend their money at the Wedge anyhow. If this national chain is allowed to sell beer and wine and the Wedge isn’t, that is truly an unfair advantage. Hum’s will surely loose a great deal of business to Three-Buck Chuck, too.
The Wedge is asking for our help. They recommend we contact our City Council representatives with the message that “It’s unfair that Trader Joe’s could be issued a state liquor license variance, when local groceries are banned from selling beer andwine. Please do not support issuing a variance to Trader Joe’s.”
You could also make some of the following points:
- Changing the rules to favor Trader Joe’s, an international company, makes me question the city’s dedication to independent and local businesses.
- A store of Trader Joe’s size will have a huge impact on south Minneapolis. Local liquor stores, local grocery chains, and independent stores like the Wedge Co-op will all take a hit from allowing Trade Joe’s to sell wine and beer.
- Please show your support for local businesses over giant, international companies. Trader Joe’s is owned by the same German company that owns and operates Aldi’s, the “German Wal-Mart.”
- Trader Joe’s will permanently change the local flavor of this area. The Wedge and Whittier neighborhoods are largely free of big chains and this will open the door for more chains to come in.
- A store this size will compound the already terrible traffic issues here. People won’t even want to come to the Lyndale/Franklin area because of the added congestion. Biking will become even more difficult than it already is.
Call or email your City Council rep as soon as possible. Their contact info is listed below.
Paul Ostrow – Ward 1
(612) 673-2201
Paul.Ostrow@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
Cam Gordon – Ward 2
(612) 673-2202
Cam.Gordon@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
Diane Hofstede – Ward 3
(612) 673-2203
Diane.Hofstede@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
Barbara Johnson – Ward 4
Council President
(612) 673-2204
Barbara.Johnson@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
Don Samuels – Ward 5
(612) 673-2205
Don.Samuels@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
Robert Lilligren – Ward 6
Council Vice President
(612) 673-2206
Robert.Lilligren@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
Lisa Goodman – Ward 7
(612) 673-2207
Lisa.Goodman@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
Elizabeth Glidden – Ward 8
(612) 673-2208
Elizabeth.Glidden@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
Gary Schiff – Ward 9
(612) 673-2209
gary.schiff@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
Ralph Remington – Ward 10
(612) 673-2210
Ralph.Remington@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
Scott Benson – Ward 11
(612) 673-2211
scott.benson@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
Sandy Colvin Roy – Ward 12
(612) 673-2212
Betsy Hodges – Ward 13
(612) 673-2213
If you don’t know who your representative is, you can find out here:
http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/council/
Sunday, April 26, 2009