Busboys & Poets Owner, Andy Shallal Editorial Takes on Walmart's Impact on Small Business

Busboys & Poets Owner, Andy Shallal Editorial Takes on Walmart's Impact on Small Business

Featured in today’s Washington Post editorial page includes an opinion letter from Andy Shallal, chairman of Think Local First DC and owner of several popular DC restaurants, including Bus Boys and Poets. Mr. Shallal explains the potential devastating impact the opening of four Wal-Mart stores in the Distric would have on local businesses and their communities. From the article:

Some facts are indisputable. Local, independent businesses give a neighborhood character. They create more local jobs, pay more taxes and keep more money in the community. And they cannot compete against the world’s largest retailer, whose track record of destroying local businesses speaks louder than any academic research.

For more on the campaign to hold Wal-Mart accountable, visit www.respectdc.org

Highlighted Clip for Wednesday, May 11, 2011:

"Wal-Mart would water down D.C.’s Character"

The May 8 Local Opinions commentary by David Merriman and Joseph J. Persky [“ The Chicago precedent: Wal-Mart’s arrival was a wash for workers ”] made clear that the first Wal-Mart store in Chicago had a profound effect on surrounding businesses, as 82 businesses that sold competing goods closed within two years of Wal-Mart’s arrival. Imagine the disastrous consequences of four stores in a city like the District, which has a fraction of Chicago’s population.