But building a store is more difficult in Vermont than in many other parts of the country. Act , passed in , gives regional environmental commissions the power to deny building permits for large-scale projects that don't meet 10 criteria designed to safeguard "the environment, community life and aesthetic character of the state.
Act is not specifically an anti- big-box measure. The Wal-Mart store planned for St. Albans, for example, was granted an Act permit. Still, for merchant princes such as Target and Ikea accustomed to all manner of pleading and exhortations, Act can be a bit of a comeuppance.
Instead of being welcomed with rose petals, they have to contend with criteria that can be highly subjective, such as not having "an undue adverse effect on aesthetics, scenic beauty, historic sites or natural areas The town of Williston, for example, would not look favorably on any store proposal that includes tilt-up, prefab concrete walls and acres of surface parking.
So a new Target project might have to be part of a mixed-use project that includes covered parking. And any retailer should not even bother asking about subsidies for site improvements or new or expanded highway interchanges. Belliveau says many state communities adopted or strengthened their design standards beginning in the s, when national retailers, hungry for new store growth, began marching on Vermont. While Vermont's largest metro area, Burlington, has only , people, the state's demographics, which include many high-income families with children, are especially desirable.
For retailers, the development restrictions also lessen the likelihood that they'll have to worry about being outflanked by competitors. Three years ago one of Target's real estate executives told the Reuters news service that the company was planning to open its first stores in Alaska and Hawaii, and was working on finding a location in Vermont.
Since then, Target's imminent arrival in Williston or the Burlington area has been predicted many times, most recently after Linens 'N Things and Circuit City closed. Belliveau has never talked to Target executives. But Belliveau has heard through the developer grapevine that Target officials were scouting possible locations in the area a few months ago. Until then, Vermont residents must content themselves with Target. Some get their fix in Plattsburgh, N. Parker's family lives in Barre, near Montpelier.
Any family travel outside Vermont's borders always includes stops at Target. Last summer they visited friends in the Twin Cities, a trip that took on pilgrimage-like proportions in Parker's mind. Target spokeswoman Amy Reilly insists the retailer would "love" to open a store in Vermont -- "some day" -- and that its design template, which includes a new small-store format, is flexible enough to respond to local guidelines. Beyond that, Target declined to offer a timeline for when it might finally be able to say it is in all 50 states.
Parker and her friends thought that day was coming when bankrupt Ames Department Store vacated its space at the Price Chopper Plaza in Barre. The new Vermont location, which will be close to the University of Vermont, will be 60, square feet. Target's decision to raise wages could also ease its entry into the state.
Fair pay is a big concern for residents, Belliveau said. Target currently has more than 1, stores in the U. The company opened its first location in Roseville, Minnesota in Personal Finance. CNNMoney Sponsors. SmartAsset Paid Partner. Coronavirus Minneapolis St. Paul Duluth St. Study: Mpls. Paul minimum wage increases led to loss of restaurant jobs. Protest outside Prior Lake High attracts hundreds outraged by racist video. Olympic gold medalist Suni Lee says she was pepper sprayed in racist attack in L.
Minnesota officials highlight need for more veteran mental health. Twin Cities will see snow, high winds — and more Up North. Wild fails on power-play chances, loses to Vegas. Guthrie Theater goes big as it returns with an all-new 'Christmas Carol' this weekend. Blog By Kavita Kumar. So what took Target so long to get to Vermont? Dayton reaching out about Amazon bid. Newer Post Target. More from Star Tribune. Taste 10 great cinnamon and caramel rolls from Twin Cities area bakeries November Business Study: Mpls.
0コメント