Banff council is to be commended this week for finally, definitively, making a decision as to future encroachment of chain stores into the mountain town’s economy and social fabric.
After years where every new arrival of a corporate or formula-based chain store caused another round of great angst and an outpouring of anger or grief that Banff’s small-town feel of mom and pop businesses was threatened – today, everybody can be on the same page on the issue.
Like it or lump it, Banff council voted 5-1 (front page) against implementing a quota system to limit chain stores. As with any controversial decision made by a municipal council, there will be both detractors and defenders of the decision.
As a council, though, making a final decision is the right move. Whether making the decision hurts the mayor and councillors in the next municipal election remains to be seen, of course.
The chain store issue is such a longstanding one in the community that both sides can at least breathe a sigh of relief that it’s over. Many people, of course, will remain discouraged that protection of locally-owned operations has not occurred.
In the end, council’s decision didn’t even upset the status quo. There are already a number of chain stores in Banff, including the recent addition of David’s Tea; all that’s changed is that officially, the Town of Banff will not limit or cap the number of the stores in future.
Being that the Canadian economic outlook is what it is, it’s unlikely Banff will be inundated with chain store owners appearing before Town planners, blueprints in hand, so council’s decisions shouldn’t cause undue stress.
The question now is, what next? For Banff citizens concerned with keeping mom and pop, locally-owned businesses alive and well, it will behoove them to ensure that happens by purchasing goods and services from those same businesses.
Much like the purchasing of “green” products often means supporting them with your wallet, even if said goods are new technology and thus more expensive, support for local businesses may have to become a conscious, directed, effort among residents.
We’re already picturing an I Ş Banff Business or I Ş Local Business campaign – T-shirts, window banners, buttons, etc.
For the locally-owned business community, successful long-term operators will have to continue with their strengths; service, staff and goods that are in demand by local shoppers.
Concerns that a Banff full of stores like every other town is bad for tourism will also remain to be seen. While many travellers enjoy discovering new places, new eateries and new shops, there are also those who, and this is who chain stores are designed for, want to find what they have at home everywhere they go. Somewhere between these two extremes is likely where most travellers would be located.
Affordable rental housing
Still with Banff, along with the decision on chain stores, the Municipal Planning Commission gave a thumbs up for a 38-unit rental housing unit on Banff Avenue – a welcome decision for a town where finding a place to live can be a challenge.
In turning otherwise undeveloped lots on Banff Avenue into rental accomodation (front page), Birchwood Properties has a project in hand that fits nicely with the town’s lifestyle. Centrally located, it will be within walking distance of virtually everything in town and, with both one- and two-bedroom units being made available, will provide much-needed housing choices.
