Whole Foods to open in Detroit (Charlotte: 2013, credit, tax credit)

[rdub1968]

This is a big deal, I live in Charlotte and they will have their first WF soon. But in our case, it is due to intense competition.


Whole Foods To Open Store In Detroit - Detroit Local News Story - WDIV Detroit

Snipped from the article:

In a release, the company said it plans a 20,000-square-foot store to open in 2013, bringing up to 75 jobs to the city.


The new store will be located on the northwest corner of Mack Avenue and John R Street.

[detwahDJ]

So something in mid town is drawing corporate interest. I've been away for awhile.

[Coldjensens]

Originally Posted by detwahDJ

So something in mid town is drawing corporate interest. I've been away for awhile.

Money. They are giving them lots of incentives to open a store here.

They will probably be busy as all get out. If they find a way to control the theft, they will probably do well.

[Retroit]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

Money. They are giving them lots of incentives to open a store here.

$4.7 million, the newspapers said. That's pathetic!

They will probably be busy as all get out.

And probably draw a lot of customers from the already existing grocery stores. Some of these locally owned stores will probably go out of business while their tax dollars are subsidizing national competitors. Shameful.

If they find a way to control the theft, they will probably do well.

And if not they'll just move out (after they drive the local stores out of business).

"How Not to Run a City."

[Coldjensens]

Originally Posted by Retroit

$4.7 million, the newspapers said. That's pathetic!



And probably draw a lot of customers from the already existing grocery stores. Some of these locally owned stores will probably go out of business while their tax dollars are subsidizing national competitors. Shameful.



And if not they'll just move out (after they drive the local stores out of business).

"How Not to Run a City."

I think you are correct on all counts.

[rdub1968]

Originally Posted by Retroit

And probably draw a lot of customers from the already existing grocery stores. Some of these locally owned stores will probably go out of business while their tax dollars are subsidizing national competitors. Shameful.

If the local stores are providing great service and a good product, they shouldn't worry too much. It isn't hard to beat WF on the price point.

It is sad it took a $47 million incentive to get them there.

[maclock]

Originally Posted by rdub1968

It is sad it took a $47 million incentive to get them there.

That's $4.7 million, rdub1968.

[rdub1968]

Originally Posted by maclock

That's $4.7 million, rdub1968.

Doh! I thought that seemed a bit high.

[fmax]

This is where the Chandler Park Aquatic Center funding must have gone.

[ForStarters]

Not that it makes much difference, but for purposes of accuracy, the incentive is not going to Whole Foods directly, it is going to the developer who owns the property. In the grand scheme of things, 4.7 million is not a whole lot of money. I don't know what it costs to build a 20k sq ft grocery store, but I expect it is much more than that. However, I don't want to see incentives going to specific businesses. It is unfair competition. The only incentives I think are warranted are brownfield and historic tax credits for re-purposing old buildings and contaminated land. It is good public policy.