Asheville made USA Today last week because local merchants wanted an ordinance to limit the number of chain stores. They fear homogenization. City Attorney Robin Currin told them state law forbade that. So, while the merchants look for other ways to incentivize buying local, they will probably be seeking a statute.
Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Kit Cramer was interviewed for the article. She provided the usual argument about competition being good for innovation and added something there is that prefers a business to a vacant storefront. Unfortunately, the conversation went south when she started talking about creating jobs and attracting tourists so more taxes could be collected to provide community services.
