Proctor mayor reveals ‘big-box retailer’ with sights on I-35 spot
July 25, 2012 at 3:33 pm in Duluth News Tribune
The retailer was revealed this week when it pulled out of the project because of the continuing court battles over who has jurisdiction over the land Proctor or Midway Township. Continue Reading
Well I hope Midway Township is pleased with the outcome….. Apparently they are insisting on taking their ball and going home…..
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good one!
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You are a left-wing radical and a fool Dark!
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“eroding property tax base”… Hard to get anything from nothing..
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Nice….very nice !
I guess the dualing entities should feel proud on this one. They showed them no one can push them around…. now everyone lost.
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“Looks like I will continue to take MN highway 23 to get to the cities”
That’ll show those big boxers Mervy! You go git em!!!!!!!!!!!
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Good, that will be one less car drively slow in the left lane on I-35 to the Cities.
Thanks for getting outta my way.
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Merv, you problem shouldn’t be so much with the “big box” retailers….but rather with the people who shop there. If everyone supported the independent shops around town….there wouldn’t be all these big box retailers around.
So if you want to be disgusted at someone…..feel disgusted with your “lamestream” friends and neighbors and everyone else in town who fill the parking lots, shopping carts and cash registers at these places. You might as well be angry and bitter at everybody…..it might make you feel better !
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Jessica, there is a degree of truth to that. And believe me, I am indeed disgusted with all the people who shop at big-box chains when there are better alternatives out there. That’s why I’m posting on here in the first place. However, with the exception of a few niche shops here and there, there are almost no alternatives to these big chains anymore. It’s the exclusive goal of these companies to maximize profits by wiping out any and all competition. And that’s exactly what has happened.
For example… Can you name a store, other than a huge chain, where I can buy basic things such as…. Socks? Underwear? Coat hangers? Shampoo? Batteries? A radio? Pens and pencils? Paper? Storage containers? Luggage? A good pair of jeans? A tent? Sleeping bag? Pillows? Blankets? A flashlight? Bugspray? A camera? A shovel? A raincoat? And, in many cities… lightbulbs? A hammer? A nail? A screwdriver? Etc. etc. etc. These are all very basic goods! Yet, a person is FORCED to shop at these big chain retailers nowadays, because there’s no alternative. That why I’m miffed whenever some Republican comes on and says, “Well, you always have a choice! Nobody is forcing you to spend your money at these places.” It’s like… but yeah, they are! That’s exactly what’s happening!
I’ll reword the argument I made about the Last Place article: It’s a typical capitalist response to blame the consumer, while letting these suppliers off the hook altogether. Do you see what I mean?? I’ll give credit where it’s due though… At least you understand the argument I’m making and made the effort to rebut. That says a lot more than most of the complacent bloggers on here who, from my perspective, must live their entire lives in a fog – or a trance.
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The Midway Town Supervisors should be immediately replaced with people that are willing to do what is best for the township and the area.
By the way, Bass Pro Shops is what I was saying all along.
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Shame on you all, Midway, Duluth, and Proctor. So typical for you to be so greedy, and jealous of each other that you would rather drive a rare chance of a new business away than compromise on anything. You get what you deserve and that is a pink slip, or should be.
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“More than likely, this new big-box store will push at least 2 or 3 locally-managed small businesses OUT of business, corroding the inner-cities of Proctor or West Duluth even more.”
Really? So riddle me this Mervy. Where are these businesses in Proctor and West Duluth that sell Fishing and Outdoor equipment? I must have missed them all these years.
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I have no idea what Merv is talking about. Minnesota Surplus left the west end years ago. That is the only one in this category that I can think of. Bass Pro would be more competition for Gander. I’m sure it wouldn’t help Marine General….but they have a good following anyway. Lets just build a wall around the area and keep all new development away. Wait a minute….we already have that covered.
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John….LOL!! You nailed that one! Build a wall around us and keep out all new development…..In Duluth…..city officials are EXPERTS in doing just that!
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Oh wait, you’re right… All the local businesses WERE driven out years ago!! Thanks for clarifying that! Just give it a few more years, and people will forget that outdoor recreation even existed before Gander Mt and Bass Pro Shops came to save the day. I mean, c’mon… It’s not a monopoly if TWO companies corner the market.
Do you people even understand the point I’m trying to make? Am I speaking a different language here or something? Nobody has bothered to try explaining why the big-box takeover of local businesses over the last 40 years is a good thing. Are you all really that dazzled by this new Made in China economy? Do you have any idea how dismal the job market is going to look when your grandchildren grow up?
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Merv,
I believe you can buy all those things (and lots more) at L & M Supply in various cities around the area…..although they don’t have a location in Duluth. It’s a great store….try it ! It’s not a “big box” and that should bring a smile to you face !
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Huh? What’s your point? It makes little difference to me if an independent store exists outside of the city I live in. It’s ridiculous to expect anybody to drive 30 miles out of their way to buy a pair of socks, just so they’re not supporting the big guys.
I can’t tell if you’re just trying to assuage my frustration, or if you genuinely believe that any substantial competition still exists with these massive retail giants. If it’s the latter, than I’d say that you and everyone else on this board is suffering from a collective state of denial.
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Well, Merv, your the one in a pervious post that said you would have to take hwy 23 to the cities….so I assumed you traveled a bit.
If you don’t shop at a locally owned independent shop because it’s inconvenient for you and you might have to drive a bit to do so….than you are more or less making the point of why the big box stores exist. Rather than driving all around town to 4 or 5 places to pick up all that you need…..people have chosen to go to Target or one of the other “big boxes” and make one stop rather than 4 or 5……that’s convenient, and exactly what you too are looking for.
I should add that I do get your point….it’s not lost on me. But I’m trying to drive home the point that we Americans make choices every day of our own free will….and the majority have made the choice that convenience (one stop shopping with acres of free parking if you will) is the most convenient for them.
We get the government we deserve (by our own lack of critical thinking skills in buying into partisian politics) …..and we also get the shopping choices we deserve because we’re allowed to make the choices by either voting in the first case or shopping and where we choose to open our wallet in the second…..and I guess the populace has spoken.
So, as long as you vent your frustration at your fellow citizens who are ultimately in charge of where they spend their money and not the “big boxes” who are simply responding to demand for the shopping format/style their customers prefer.
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Actually, it isn’t large businesses that push small businesses out of business Merv, it’s government regulation. I own several small businesses across the northland, from Bemidji, to Duluth, and Northern Wisconsin. I regularly compete successfully with large chains including Walmart. Recently, I remodeled one of my stores. I spent $4,000 on permits and 6 weeks of project delay, so that 5 different government agencies could “review” my plans. Then, those government agencies required me to spend an additional $22,000 on the project so I could be compliant with this or that pointless regulation.
The reason that big business thrives better in this environment that we have been regulated into to “protect us from big bad small business” is that it has simply achieved an economy of scale that makes it better equipped to deal with this sort of regulatory reality. For many small business owners, it is easier to go to work for someone else, than to attempt to overcome these hurdles, which are relatively small to a large business, but can be insurmountable to a small one.
You want to stop killing small businesses? Stop voting for those who regulate them out of business instead of promoting personal accountability of citizens.
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Dusty…..I agree, sounds typical….of Duluth getting involved in something they have no control over….spending money and time in litigation….and losing….all the time! Midway Township should have let Proctor take care of this….instead of losing of this continual fighting……then everybody loses! Congress……are you listening? Hardly!
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Binoculars.com/Telescopes.com was one of the fastest growing internet companies in the country and was very successful. The owner sold the company for millions before they moved into the new building. How is that the fault of Proctor?
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Way to go Midway Township Supervisors! You don’t have a leg to stand on and know you will lose because the law is crystal clear, but you appeal anyway. What a ridiculous waste of MIdway Township resources to litigate this. The township attorney must love these guys! And blocking much needed jobs and tax dollars from the area? What a joke. Annex the whole township and get this crap over with for good.
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Not sure what to make of this. A couple of years ago Bass Pro was going to build in Green Bay. Not too far from Lambeau Field. They ran into some issues and pulled out. Cabela’s just recently broke ground on the same site. Too bad local govenments are working against each other. And we thought we could talk Google Fiber into locating here???
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Google Fiber…with the type of video put together to entice Google? It was so amateurish, so stupid, so poorly done it was beyond a total waste it was repulsive and embarrassing. If that is the best Duluth can do to entice a company to come here, Duluth is surely doomed. What drug addled fo*ls ever approved such drivel?
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Exactly…made is look stu*id. If local goverments could work together they wouldn’t have to put on a dog and pony show to attract companies. Just think what a mess it would be if Google had come….by they time our goverments got around to granting permits to lay cable the internet would be obsolete.
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Small-minded politicians (typical of this region) engaging in petty arguments and idi*tic battles have now left eveybody with a lot of nothing. No increase in jobs, no increase in tax base, no increase in tourist trade. Way to go petty politicians!!! With fo*ls like this leading our citys it’s no wonder why this region cannot grow it’s economy. Ever hear of “killing the goose that lays the golden eggs”? Our petty politicians do it continually…but at lease they are Dumbocrats. That makes it all OK.
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Karma baby!!!
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There is another Thread about this topic that I have posted a couple of similar questions as I am going to ask here. The first is this…Why is Midway township the “Bad Guy” in this? Why isn’t the onus being put to Mr. Oliver, the developer to explain what it is that Proctor offered in developing this same site that he believed Midway Township would not be able too? was it lower taxes? I’m just asking. Did Mr. Oliver even approach Midway with his plan for this site to see if they were going to be able to procure the needed Infrastructure changes necessary. And why, just because it is legal, is the annexing of one township by a larger city considered appropriate in this case?
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It’s called City Water and Sewer Artsy.
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Gee, thanks Randy…. So, Midway couldn’t have gone to WLSSD and the City of Proctor themselves and said, “We have a developer with a large parcel of valuable property just off the freeway that we would like to be able to provide services too. How do we enter into an argreement so that all of us benefit.” Yeah, thanks for the deep insight Randy….
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When you need a loaf of bread and a gallon of milk do you go to Menards and ask them if they could procure it for you from Super One?
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Art – you are 100% correct. Mr. Oliver never went to Midway to ask if they could possibly develop. If that had happened and Midway had refused, I could understand Oliver trying to get the land annexed by Proctor. The fact that he went straight to Proctor, and Proctor was accommodating without even bringing Midway to the table to discuss, is pretty indicative that Oliver is in bed with someone on the Proctor City Clownsil.
With regards to water/sewer: people keep bringing up this argument that Midway doesn’t have access to water/sewer there. They could always negotiate that with Proctor! Heck, Proctor gets both of those services from Duluth anyway!
I think this whole deal was broken from the start. There is no evidence that a deal was even possible, and all the lemmings fall in line when the mayor says it’s all Midway’s fault that the business didn’t come. There are thousands of reasons they could have decided to not come, and blaming this whole situation on Midway is more than likely just a cop-out for the incompetence of the Proctor city government.
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I am relieved to see the discussion thread decidedly focused on the developer and local jurisidictions. Bass Pro, whatever you may think of it will “blacklist” Duluth – not Proctor or Midway Township and that puts a stain on the whole area.
It is doubtful that anybody at Bass Pro will have ever heard of Proctor, least of all, Midway Twp and if nobody had ever heard of Duluth, Minnesota before, they will know about it now, whether the City of Duluth had any involvement or not.
Personally, I avoid the big box chains as much as possible, but where I live, there are alternatives. What’s more, when I lived in Duluth, I felt the city was starved for choice, so Bass Pro was kind of 50:50 in my book.
What concerns me the most – and I have expressed this before is: it is time for the Greater Duluth area to consider forming a metropolitan council of governments (COG) to work toward attracting and retaining business and inward investment and working toward the same goals to every jurisdiction’s advantage.
If it’s Bass Pro today, it will be someone else somewhere else tomorrow…. outside the city limits of Duluth and really,,, what message has the region sent to the corporate people at Bass Pro?
And I’m glad that some readers on here recalled Google Fiber. How unified were the local jurisdictional governments when push came to shove?
Like Bass Pro or not, I think it was a shameful waste of time and a stain on the reputation of the Duluth area as things turned out.
Does Seth Oliver have something to answer for? Yes. Does Midway Twp have something to answer for? Yes. If they want to have this type of development, then either incorporate or plan their township to accommodate development instead of grab handing something that they neither pursued or indeed wanted just to prove a point.
Oliver,,, did you approach Midway Twp first?
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Oliver,,, did you approach Midway Twp first?
Blighty…thank you for asking the same question I am asking. Midway is taking a lot of heat from a couple of posters, and I don’t know if Oliver ever did, OR DIDN’T, talk to Midway. If he didn’t, then Proctor deserves just as much heat for the failure of this project.
Oh and Randy, Menard’s HAS bread and milk now….. But, to more accurately reflect your sarcasm, I wouldn’t go to Wisconsin and ask them to give me a Minnesota Moose hunting license. But I might ask them what hunting opportunities they have in their state that might be available to me.
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Why does it matter if he approached them first? Are you arguing that he doesn’t have the right to do what he wants with his property, within the law? Is that really anybody’s business but his?
And Midway is not taking heat from a “couple” of posters. They are taking heat from every poster but you and Dark Knight, (and he just has a personal beef with Proctor) You seem like an educated guy so I have to assume that you are a Township Supervisor. If so, please end this madness. You are wasting scarce resources.
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Randall Flagg – as long as you are making generalizations about my views and opinions, I’ll go ahead and make some about you. I bet you are Mr. Oliver, and you never had a deal with any company for that land in the first place. Now you’re scrambling, because all the people you’ve told those glamorous stories to about Costo’s and Cabela’s, etc, are thinking you are a liar and really had nothing set up. Then this appeal comes along, and it’s the perfect opportunity to blame someone else for your misfortunes. You tell everyone that the business that was going to move in is backing out because a little old township, who has little to no chance of succeeding in blocking the annexation, is getting in the way. It’s the perfect excuse! I also bet you have some personal vendetta against Midway and/or the supervisors of Midway Township. That’s the only reason you could be attacking Midway like you are. I guess you are right, generalizations are fun!
I have nothing against Proctor. I am only concerned that this is a very slippery slope for cities that are near townships. This sets a precedent that cities can just take whatever land they want from townships, and that’s not right. I am not a resident of Midway or Proctor, and live nowhere near.
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Mr. Knight….after reading today’s article….looks like you called it. The developer never had anything close to a deal.
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