Debate over whether a drug store chain should be allowed to open in Whistler Village has driven a wedge between small retailers worried about being run out of business and residents hungry for bargains. Residents are torn: a recent survey found that they want lower prices for goods but prefer local stores over national chains.
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2 responses to “Whistler debates opening of another chain store”
Hmm, sounds like a classic case of wanting cake and eating it too.
My favorite quote from the article :
“Groups of merchants that have been here forever don’t want London Drugs because they don’t want competition,” she said. “They have had a free ride for a long, long time . . . they need to face reality and realize that Whistler people can’t subsidize their inefficiencies forever.”
I have a similar view on anti-growth measures (bed cap etc.)in Whistler. It creates artificial scarcity which result in higher home values – a benefit to existing home owners only. Very self serving and so hypocritical when done under the guise ecological consciousness. People living in Whistler probably have one of the largest environmental footprint in Canada.
I wish the London Drugs would go in. There’s just nowhere good for small appliances in the Whistler area so it means driving down to Squamish. The only alternative is Home Hardware in Function. I recently went there to replace my failing ironing board. The only option they had? $219.99. I thought it was a typo. Nope. So I had to drive down to Squamish for a $29.99 special at WalMart.
A more pressing problem at the moment though – there’s only one gas station left in Whistler and it runs out of gas! (check for articles on this in the Whistler Question and Pique).
Both issues show how Council meddles in trying to determine what is best for residents without letting the competitive business processes sort it out on their own.