Family Dollar meets opposition in southwest Atlanta
(John Spink, jspink@ajc.com)
Several hundred protesters (photos) turned out Friday to demand that Family Dollar abandon plans to build a store in the Cascade area of southwest Atlanta.
Protesters argue that the discount general merchandise chain already has several stores in the area and that it is targeting predominantly black communities for its locations. The new store is being built at Fairburn Road and Benjamin E. Mays Drive.
Protesters say the concentration of such stores lowers nearby residential property values and attracts crime. They also say the store will be near retirement complexes, a health care center, and nearby neighborhoods.
“We are not anti-business,” Audraine Jackson, an area resident and owner of Jackson Communication, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution during the protest Friday near the construction site for the new store. “The issue here is the aggressive marketing tactics of Family Dollar that disproportionately targets the African-American community. For us to have four stores in this ZIP code alone is totally unacceptable.”
Family Dollar, however, defends opening the new location and vows to “work diligently” to make the store “a positive addition” to the community, spokesman Bryn Winburn said in a statement.
“Family Dollar is proud to be a neighborhood store and we continuously strive to be a positive part of the neighborhoods we serve. We look forward to working with this community to create a store we can all be proud of,” Byrn said. The spokesperson also noted that the chain, which plans to open up to 500 stores this fiscal year, donates thousands of dollars to nonprofits that seek to improve the quality of life of customers and employees.
Earlier this month, more than 200 residents attended an Aug. 14 community meeting at the Adamsville Recreation Center to oppose the new store.
“Somebody might argue and say, ‘Well, this is economic development,’ ” said Atlanta City Councilman Michael Bond. “This is not the type of economic development that we want.” Councilman C.T. Martin noted there were three Family Dollar stores on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
(Commenting closed)
(Staff photographer John Spink contributed to this blog)
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133 comments Add your comment
Kalif
August 24th, 2012
2:02 pm
There are Family Dollar stores in much more upscale areas than Cascade. I could understand pushback against a check cashing store or a tattoo parlor but the residents should be grateful that FD would even consider their ‘hood. It’s not like Bloomingdale’s is going to put a store in Southwest Atlanta anytime soon.
Mike
August 24th, 2012
2:05 pm
Family Dollar stores are usually poorly managed, workers are underpaid, stores are filthy, and they do invite crime because of the lack of security in stores located in high crime areas. The items sold there are cheap but sub-standard in relation to other similar retail stores. This is probably the reason for targeting poor neighborhoods.
Bob Leblah
August 24th, 2012
2:30 pm
Talk about reverse logic. what a joke. The Family Dollar attracts crime? There is no chicken and egg thing going on here.
MrsWinners
August 24th, 2012
2:32 pm
YEAH! Down with Dollar General, put in a Mrs Winners!
rgbutterfly
August 24th, 2012
2:33 pm
I believe the citizens in the Cascade area SHOULD have input in what industries are in their neighborhood. I agree FD does invite more than cheaper prices. I am glad the citizens are putting up a fight!
Family $ hater
August 24th, 2012
2:34 pm
The Family Dollar store on North Avenue is a horrible neighbor in the Old Fourth Ward. I’ve never seen so many people just hanging out in a parking lot. All the punks from Boulevard have simply set up shop there in the parking lot. It is filthy to boot. Good luck keeping them out of your neighborhood.
All you need to know is...
August 24th, 2012
2:34 pm
It’s better to have businesses moving in than moving out…
Sally
August 24th, 2012
2:34 pm
Good grief! These people need to get a life.
tim
August 24th, 2012
2:34 pm
What are THEY complaining about now??
THEY complain when a company doesn’t want to serve THEIR community’.
Now, THEY complain that a company wants to serve their hood.
Family Dolla attracts crime………
Well, the perps don’t have to go far cuz they live right there.
old school doc
August 24th, 2012
2:35 pm
Are they selling books, and fruits and vegetables? If not, we don’t need them.
There are already enough stores around here selling junk. I think we just may be able to survive in 30311 without ANOTHER white metal, UGLY FD store in our area.
Jeremy
August 24th, 2012
2:36 pm
Targeting Black Areas? Are you kidding me? I am white and live in a predominately white community and we have 6 “Dollar” type stores and I love it.
Christopher Seward
August 24th, 2012
2:36 pm
Let’s remain civil in commenting.
Bob Leblah
August 24th, 2012
2:36 pm
Title Max got yo money, yo money yo real money!!! hahahah!
LMM
August 24th, 2012
2:36 pm
@Inhabitant – You people???? Really?
The comments here are very mean, filled with a lot of hate and not filled with a lot of truth! Have you never heard the saying – if you have nothing nice to say, shut up and keep it to yourself?
jarvis
August 24th, 2012
2:38 pm
If you don’t want it, don’t shop there. If sales are lackluster, the store won’t be open long.
Brian Marcus
August 24th, 2012
2:39 pm
It’s obvious the first(6)comments to this blog were written by the same ignorant person.
Bob Leblah
August 24th, 2012
2:39 pm
well doc, then make it worth it for nicer stores to move in. Dollar General, just like every other store, evaluates whether to move in based on whether they will profit.
Real American
August 24th, 2012
2:41 pm
Too late Christopher. I suspect you anticipated the type of comments you were inviting by this. You should have gone with your instincts and not allowed comments.
mark in jc
August 24th, 2012
2:41 pm
If the property owner proposes to use the property for the purposes allowed by the zoning, the residents and the city really don’t have the legal right to deny them the use of their land just because they don’t like the business or what it stands for. This is true for Family Dollar, Walmart or Chik-fil-A…
Justin
August 24th, 2012
2:42 pm
@ Brian Marcus
August 24th, 2012
2:39 pm
I totally agree with you! Just plain ignorant!
T.R. Alexander
August 24th, 2012
2:42 pm
There is no fight. The Family Dollar store that is under contruction on Cascade Road is a done deal. You can thank your councilmember for this.
weetamoe
August 24th, 2012
2:43 pm
A very nice black family runs the FD store in Tucker. I have bought garden supplies, cleaning supplies, and paper supplies from them.
What needs cleaning up is Stone Mountain. What has happened to home values there?
MrLiberty
August 24th, 2012
2:43 pm
Companies locate where they think the business is. Take the hint Cascade area. Don’t like them, don’t shop there. Pretty simple solution. You either believe in property rights or you don’t.
pj
August 24th, 2012
2:44 pm
There are Dollar Generals in most communities now, and they offer a lot of useful products at good prices that keep people in smaller towns from having to drive to a larger store farther away to get them. I’ve NEVER seen one that seemed to be a crime stop, so it has more to do with the neighborhood. I would think a store like Dollar General would be a good thing for people in a retirement community.
Just Say No
August 24th, 2012
2:45 pm
Good for the residents! They are exactly right. Some of your comments are pathetic. Shame on all the people who hide behind their racist comments. Did it ever occur to any of you that perhaps these areas were once very nice areas to live, hence the protest? No one wants to live where crime and foolishness is invited. And yes, that FD on North Ave. in Old Fourth Ward is very scary during the day.
Mrs. Jackson
August 24th, 2012
2:46 pm
I have never heard such racism!!! If you did your homework you would know that the Cascade Area has always been a middle to upper class “black” neighborhood. Cascade is where YOUR Mayor, doctors, professors and lawyers live! Get your facts straight or visit sometime!
Christopher Seward
August 24th, 2012
2:49 pm
Well, Real American, we shouldn’t disallow commenting because a few won’t play by the rules.
O-Bama
August 24th, 2012
2:50 pm
Yea for them……Family Dollar needs to take their jobs elsewhere. How can we keep people on welfare if business keep trying to hire people? This is shameful l!!!!! Now take your business and your jobs back to the burbs so they can pay the taxes to support my voters!
guest
August 24th, 2012
2:50 pm
Here’s an idea – let’s protest a legitimate business that will BRING NEW JOBS INTO THE COMMUNITY. Idiots.
Redcoat
August 24th, 2012
2:51 pm
Please……..someone report the real reason this community doesn’t want another FD…….There has to be some other reason.
SB
August 24th, 2012
2:52 pm
AJC you need to do a better job at tempering the racist rants on your blogs.
pETER THE WETER
August 24th, 2012
2:52 pm
Family Dollars is not the same as Dollar General. I never really paid attention to the type of areas Family Dollars target…I would think we all want cheap washing powder, soap, lysol, and a sock to stuff in inhabitant/robert’s mouth
guest
August 24th, 2012
2:55 pm
Is it racist calling an animal that walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and looks like a duck a duck?
Tony W
August 24th, 2012
2:55 pm
By reading some of the above comments you can observe racism at its finest. I see some have replaced their white sheets with internet anonymity.
DagnyT
August 24th, 2012
2:55 pm
There is a Family Dollar next to the Aldi and Chick-fil-a in East Cobb. I never considered it a blight. It actually has a fresh look and good prices. I am shocked that people wouldn’t want a clean, attractive, honest business in their neighborhood.
pETER THE WETER
August 24th, 2012
2:55 pm
It is funny how people do not want these citizens protesting FD, but did not say anything when the AJC ran the story of the whites protesting wal-mart in avondale…whites protest stores all the time and they are never asked the real reason. If you live in an area and you do not want the store that is the end of the debate.
atlnative
August 24th, 2012
2:55 pm
To Mrs. Jackson:The Cascade Area was not always “black”.You need to do your homework before you try to educate someone else!
Cheryl
August 24th, 2012
2:56 pm
The Family Dollar near my home in Sargent, GA (Coweta Co.) is very nice and clean. I do not understand the opposition. They have name brands too and cost less than WalMart.
I am not affiliated in any way; just find Family Dollar to be a close to home convenience.
David Allison
August 24th, 2012
2:57 pm
We’ve got a Dollar General in my neighborhood in Tucker. Didn’t know I was being oppressed.
The Beast
August 24th, 2012
3:01 pm
Ummm, Family Dollar does not attract crime. The crime and criminals are already there. I guess these are the same people who say spoons make people fat and guns jump up and kill people. Obviously, if FD has 3 stores in that area already, they see enough sales demand to build another. More tax revenue, more jobs. There’s is a Dollar General in Bethlehem, Georgia that I pass for business about twice a month and there aren’t any people hanging out in the parking lot or selling CD’s. Maybe it’s Cascade and not FD that’s the problem.
Pearl
August 24th, 2012
3:03 pm
stores don’t bring down property value, criminals, lazy people and drugs/crime bring down property value.
Mrs. Jackson
August 24th, 2012
3:03 pm
@ altnative – OK correction……black folks ran white folks out of the area and they didnt turn it into a “hood” . Black folks in the area have actually kept it up pretty good ever since!!!!! Can you believe thatt???? – Cascade was “white” than “black” folks moved in and it didnt turn into a “hood”!!! WOW AMAZING ISNT IT!!!! REally You should visit sometime!! Educated black folks in one area…YES it does exist!!!
Redcoat
August 24th, 2012
3:04 pm
Whose property is FD buying?……..who owns it?……anybody know?
Fedup
August 24th, 2012
3:04 pm
It is people like Inhabitant, Robert and others like them that are catalysts for hatred. They are probably the first ones to blame people of color for every ill in this world. People no matter how poor they are have a right to express their concern about where they live and raise their family. To take this lightly and blame them for all that is dysfunctional in their neighborhoods is wrong. In every neighborhood in the state there are some undesirable people, I bet even in Inhabitant’s. You can’t jugde all people by the action of a few. The lawmakers in the City or County should do a better job when handing out permits to businesses and not letting any one particular business saturate any area of the City/County. Some may think that the Cascade area is the poorest of the poor but I beg to differ. They are tax paying citizens just like Inhabitant, Robert and others and until they are not required to pay taxes they should have a say in whatever comes into their neighborhood. In the best interest of not sounding like a total idiot Inhabitant, Robert and others like them should keep their judgement to themselves. In other words don’t be a narrow minded bigot.
commoncents
August 24th, 2012
3:05 pm
FD will attract crime and thugs! Why don’t they build something that the area really needs and will promote pride and encourage positive growth? They need a new The North Face store or a Whole Foods. After all, if they don’t need cheap necessities, then they could sure use $400 jackets and food that’s 3x the average price.
Oh wait… industry studies show those won’t work in SW Atlanta, only Family Dollar and McDonald’s
jay
August 24th, 2012
3:05 pm
This is true there are several FD in the area. This one is not located off 285, so it would need commmnity support. My guess is that they think they will make money of the high school, retirement homes, and the local dfcs across the street.
Pearl
August 24th, 2012
3:05 pm
@Gungadin…..the fried chicken and watermelon reference is getting old and tiresome. Most races like chicken and watermelon so please stop showing your ignorance.
Idiots
August 24th, 2012
3:06 pm
Ummm…Family Dollar doesn’t “attract crime.” What you have is a population of thugs that won’t magically disappear by preventing a business from opening, which creates jobs and generates revenue.
But you people are too stupid to realize that.
Ha!
August 24th, 2012
3:07 pm
I’m glad some of the people with the racist comments will be dead in a couple of years since this is the same hate that was in place 40+ years ago.
Due Diligence
August 24th, 2012
3:09 pm
This is a free country and I am also fairly certain that Dollar General believes there is a demand for their store to be put in the Cascade area or they wouldn’t be building it there. Clearly they are not worried about saturating the market. Also, if they own the land and it is currently zoned for commercial retail, and theyhave the proper permits etc., there is nothing anyone can do to stop them from building their own store on their own property. The people who are disgruntled should be buying up the land in that area and putting what they want to on there, but that takes a bunch of $doe Ray Me, and it’s easier to sit back and complain than do anything about it.
Redcoat
August 24th, 2012
3:10 pm
Mrs. Jackson……Someone is buying FD products in your neighborhood, if it’s not you or your neighbors, are you saying folks outside your neighborhood are commuting in to buy from FD? and you don’t like it?…..is that right?
Angry AJC Subscriber
August 24th, 2012
3:10 pm
Chris Seward, I would like to request that you remove all comments from this article as it takes away from the true essence of the why this protest took place. I am a resident of the city of Atlanta and I own several homes INSIDE THE CITY OF ATLANTA in several different communities.
I do not encounter these racist online comments in my day to day life, so it’s one of two things. These “people,” and I say that vaguely, probably live outside the metropolitan Atlanta area and aren’t necessarily relevant in overall scope of the success of Atlanta. OR this is some childish rant by a fearful, immature, adolescent person vowing for attention. One way or another, this article does not need comments.
Due Diligence
August 24th, 2012
3:10 pm
Family Dollar…all those stores seem the same to me!
Lola
August 24th, 2012
3:11 pm
@ WENdy, Wendy, WEndy shame on you.
“Well get off government assistance, raise your children to not be hood rats and move out of the ghetto, then you wont have to worry about it.”
Are you serious??? Do you have any idea where Cascade is located?? Unknowledgable
Kwame Cascade
August 24th, 2012
3:13 pm
With Powell, Rice, Obama, etc white America says, “Racism’s Dead”. Well, I know it’s not true from my own experiences. And the comments on this post support why I must teach my 3 and 1 year old beautiful Black princesses, that there are people in this world, in this state, in this city, that will judge them “not for the character of their heart”, but by the color of their skin. And it saddens me to have to do so.
atlnative
August 24th, 2012
3:15 pm
To Mrs. Jackson: Would you prefer a Whole Foods Supermarket than a Family Dollar store? The Cascade Area is a home foreclosure minefield!
Really ?
August 24th, 2012
3:16 pm
Family Dollar just opened a new store in the upscale Oakhurst neighborhood of Decatur right next to a church. The problem isn’t Family Dollar it’s the people who live in the neighborhood.
Always blaming your problems on others rather than looking for solutions to your crime, drugs dependence, lack of education and staggering illegitimate birth rate means nothing will ever change for you.
atlnative
August 24th, 2012
3:17 pm
Mrs. Jackson, why are you so emotional about this issue?
SW ATL resident
August 24th, 2012
3:17 pm
As a resident of SW Atlanta (FYI – I live in a subdivison less than 5 min. from the proposed location), I’m agaisnt the opening of this Family Dollar in particular because it’s on a street that’s not suitable for the amount of traffic that the store may bring. It’s in a mostly residential neighborhood, on a small two lane road right next to a rail road crossing – hence, there will probably cars backed-up blocking the entrance to my subdivision. Also, Family Dollar has a history of constucting ugly buildings that don’t fit the architecture of the surronding area. I can’t tell yet how this store will look, but based on the company’s history, I’m not getting my hopes up. Lastly, the chain has been known to abandon said ugly buildings fairly quickly if the store is under performing. Given the backlash this store is facing already – I wouldn’t be surprised if this store under-performed expectations and was left empty within 6-12 months. Who wants an ugly empy building sitting down the street from their home? These are just a few of the reasons, I and several of my neighbors are opposed to this location. And to all the negative commenters – Do you really think your AJC comments make me feel bad about my neighborhood? What are you trying to accomplish? There are reasons I live where I live….and I wouldn’t deny that one of those reasons is to avoid living next to people that have opinions and views similar to yours.
Georgian with a brain
August 24th, 2012
3:18 pm
I am always stunned by the overt racism of the commenters here. Remind me, please: whom did Jesus hate?
papa rider
August 24th, 2012
3:19 pm
I would welcome the opportunity to save money no matter what color I was. I’m white and have several in my area. I’m not to proud to save a dollar.
ATLParent
August 24th, 2012
3:20 pm
While Councilman Bond is complaining about Family Dollar, why isn’t he and all those that complained the loudest at the meeting doing something about the store across the street. It attracts more illegal activity than any of the Family Dollars withing the 30331 zone.
Mischa
August 24th, 2012
3:20 pm
Have any of you protestors ever thought of how many jobs these Family Dollars create? Even in just the construction alone? My boyfriend’s father owns the concrete company that has laid the foundation for at least 10 Family Dollars in the past several months. Family Dollar has kept them very busy and thankfully unaffected during these rough economic times.
They told me they saw protesters across the street this morning and they just laughed about the whole thing, thought it was so stupid. Why are you protesting them? Working men who have and want nothing to do with the situation… They’re just trying to make money so they can support their families.
Happy AJC Subcriber
August 24th, 2012
3:20 pm
Chris Seward, I would like to request that you keep all comments from this article as it adds to the true essence of the why this protest took place – because people of that community are illogical and will play the race card either way. If they can’t get jobs – RACISM! If jobs come to the city – RACISM! I am a resident of the city of Atlanta and I own several homes INSIDE THE CITY OF ATLANTA in several different communities.
I do not encounter these “protesters” in my day to day life, so it’s one of two things. These “people,” and I say that vaguely because if I used the actual word I’d be banned, probably live outside the metropolitan Atlanta area and aren’t necessarily relevant in overall scope of the success of Atlanta. OR the protesters are childish, fearful, immature, adolescent and vowing they’re a victim of racism. One way or another, this article needs comments.
BW
August 24th, 2012
3:20 pm
Wow….where’s the moderator with some of these guys?
Darwin
August 24th, 2012
3:21 pm
Oh well. We got a bunch of Dollar General stores up here in North Forsyth near Hall County. So, it’s a red neck thing too.
Redcoat
August 24th, 2012
3:23 pm
Angry…….I’m embarrassed of some of these comments too, but no comments is even more wrong. I am very surprised that a business such as FD is considered drawing in a criminal element. In my area there are several dollar stores and I buy products from them because I find I save money on name brand products they sell. Yes , I may “rub elbows” with some of their other customers of all races that may not be as fortunate as myself, but I never felt that “criminals” were all about me. So I feel there is more to this story that’s not being reported.
BW
August 24th, 2012
3:24 pm
No Inhabitant…just be thankful you have a computer to spew vitroil you’re too chicken-**** to say to someone’s face…gotta love the Internets and America
SW ATL resident
August 24th, 2012
3:25 pm
ATTENTION ATTENTION: Family Dollar is not Dollar General.
Wayne stuck in AL
August 24th, 2012
3:28 pm
Yeah…these people are holding out for an IKEA or a Neiman Marcus.
Mike
August 24th, 2012
3:28 pm
Racism people are ruining this country….not Obama
SW ATL resident
August 24th, 2012
3:31 pm
Why are you all focusing so much on the crime complaints? Readers of the article (and my previous comment) should see that crime is not the only reason neighborhood residents are agaisnt this Family Dollar location. There is a location under construction actually on Cascade Rd (this one is not) that is not garnering the same complaints because in a more commercial area, with a strong retail presence. It’s not really about crime.
Mrs. Jackson
August 24th, 2012
3:31 pm
@atlnative – I am emotional because my husband and I are raising three “black” kids in this area and it breaks my heart that they will one day have to encounter the RACISM that is shown here!!!!We teach our kids to love no matter the race but the truth of the matter is they will be judged purely on the colour of their skin!!! We are two educated professionals raising kids the best way we know how and the thought of someone “labeling” them “hoodrats” BREAKS MY HEART!!!!!!!! So I will be sure to show them this blog so that they are aware of the RACISM they will one day face!! Sad…very very sad!!
Snozz
August 24th, 2012
3:31 pm
““The issue here is the aggressive marketing tactics of Family Dollar that disproportionately targets the African-American community.”
Wait, what? Aren’t complaints like this normally about how a business *won’t* market to/support a community? And we’re not talking about a strip club or liquor store here…
jay
August 24th, 2012
3:32 pm
The problem is not race. Simply to many FD in one area. IF we had a whole foods, I woulnt have to drive to vinnings area to shop!!!
Darwin
August 24th, 2012
3:32 pm
I know Family Dollar is not Dollar General. But isn’t it kind of the same concept? That was my point.
John
August 24th, 2012
3:34 pm
There are at least five Dollar Generals and two Family Dollar stores in my zip code and I live in a predominately white upper middle class community. I don’t think this shows anything other than the fact that a store wants to do business i this community.
Ro Mance
August 24th, 2012
3:37 pm
You should be complaining to the city about all the boarded up, delapidated buildings in our neighborhoods. We need good, clean stores of any kind in our community. Our people need jobs.
Lorraine
August 24th, 2012
3:38 pm
‘robert’, there’s a new Family Dollar in the City of Decatur. The community consists of people who have a high income and are highly educated. Get your facts straight before you place false and incorrect information.
Tag
August 24th, 2012
3:38 pm
Why not a Neiman Marcus, Saks 5th Ave or expensive antique stores?
Jazzy
August 24th, 2012
3:38 pm
@Inhabitant you need a realtity check. Cascasde is not a bad neighboorhood. Just people like make it look bad. Yes, there are better schools, and a lot well know people live there. And still do. I bet you you live in the neighborhood. Do you work everyday. so, before you start dogging a neighborhood get your facts straight. apprently your facts are all wrong.
Redcoat
August 24th, 2012
3:39 pm
SW ATL……Then why say “crime” “racial”?……need to get to the point…….if it’s just property values….then say it! You need to talk to those who zone your area and get that changed….don’t you think? Is there another issue?…….feeling I get is there is more to this.
What should they build instead?
August 24th, 2012
3:39 pm
A Nike Store so the drug dealers and teenagers (selling drugs as well and/or stealing) can pick up a $150 pair of sneakers every three weeks? This one rates way up the stupid scale. If you don’t like it, don’t shop there. The company isn’t putting one there as a charity, they’ve probably done some research and figured out they can make money with another location in the area. Novel idea, making money……are they discriminatory (do they charge more than $1 at this store)?
Try Again FD
August 24th, 2012
3:40 pm
communities oppose business all the time for whatever reason they decide. Unfortunately, cascade has 3 stores already which says that says are great but it also says to me that there are not enough of other kinds of stores. While I appreciate FD for trying, why would anyone want a 400k house within minutes of mulitple family Dollar stores. Lets be practicial here. they aren’t opposing restuarants which don’t open below i20.
LAC
August 24th, 2012
3:40 pm
Really that is there main concern for you folks… No Family Dollar. I live in East Cobb there are two Dollar store in one shopping center. I do use Family Dollar because of the Cheaper prices on Tide and Cleaning products and dog food. Home Prices haven’t been lowered… I think you should worry more about your education system than Family Dollar.
barry
August 24th, 2012
3:40 pm
@Robert…….looks like your the one who needs to learn English…it’s “waist” not “waste.”
Rob
August 24th, 2012
3:41 pm
Well, there you go, Obama doesnt want people to work, so this is the prime example, If you didtnt build it, they wont work!
AltN8tivITP
August 24th, 2012
3:46 pm
There is nothing inherently wrong with dollar stores like FD, DG and DT. I have shopped all three in various parts of town and in my experience the quality of the store tends to mirror the neighborhood it’s in. Stores in dirty, trashy areas tend to be trashy and dirty. Stores in clean, well-kept areas tend to be clean and well-kept. For the record, I fall into the single, white, mid-aged, mid-class, female demographic. I also happen to live in a pre-dominantly black neighborhood; the FD and DG stores here are fine and the employees greet me with a friendly welcome when I shop there.
ATLParent
August 24th, 2012
3:48 pm
The issue here is crime not Family Dollar. I had to travel along that corridor this morning during your protest. Now, I invite all of you back this evening after 7. Watch the ’slick’ transactions, the foul mouth teens and adults with children in tow, and lack of police presence. Family Dollar will not be the eyesore or problem, it is already there. And, next door and behind this store is a senior citizens home. SW residents don’t want anything that can boost the economy, you shot down WalMart.
Sit down with FD and have them guarantee jobs for the community first. Ask them to train some of the people, including teens from Mays, to become responsible citizens.
double standard?
August 24th, 2012
3:49 pm
So which is worse, retailers targeting black communities or avoiding them? RME
Bluto
August 24th, 2012
3:50 pm
SW ATL resident I was pretty disappointed from both sides of the argument until I read your post. It was just a bunch of name calling and stereotyping from both sides. Thank you for informing someone who does not live in this area or shops at Family Dollar why the community is protesting the store.
Profitability
August 24th, 2012
3:50 pm
The community does get to decide what kind of businesses continue to operate within it. Store sales are the ultimate indicator for public acceptance. If the community does not value the business, the sales will show it. If the residents continue to shop at the store, sales will show that as well. Time will tell.
atlnative
August 24th, 2012
3:51 pm
@Mrs. Jackson: The first place your kids will learn racism is right there in their own home! The average person doesn’t care about your education,or your kids’ education. When you are approached by people on the street,your ethnicity is clearly visible.Most quality people judge you by your character more than anything else.It doesn’t matter where you live,your educational resume,the car you drive,or where you’re seen buying clothes!
Inhabitant
August 24th, 2012
3:52 pm
All. Please accept my apology. Sincerely. Have a nice day.
Redcoat
August 24th, 2012
3:53 pm
Please, someone dig deep and come up with a real reason FD is such an issue in this neighborhood…….has to be something else involved here. Hard to buy all these “protest issues”.
MR164
August 24th, 2012
3:55 pm
WOW. Hot stove Hot stove. Everyone grow up. This is America. If you want to protest..protest. If you don’t….then don’t. Why all the negativity? I grew up off of cascade in a neighborhood built by the same builder that built your house, John Wieland ($200k – 1M) and that was in the early 90’s. I went to Mays HS and then Morehouse and GT. What’s my point? Don’t paint everyone the same color because of their race (Pun intended). As a guy that has experiences with both races everyday, I can tell you that all races do dumb things. The funny part is that I will see all of you black and white raciest “high five(ing)” at the Falcons game Sept 17th
This was all typed on a smartphone so dont kill me too much for my type-os
SW ATL resident
August 24th, 2012
3:57 pm
ATLParent – Do you think the Family Dollar will add more value to the community than the gas station? As someone that lives down the street, I’m not pleased with the business practices of that gas station, so I don’t shop there and I won’t shop at the Family Dollar either. From your comments it seems you believe that the Family Dollar will be a better addition to the neighborhood. I’d guess it’d be more of the same…but I’m interested to hear your reasoning. Also, do you really think the kids from Mays need training from Family Dollar? As a graduate of the school, I don’t think so. The students should be presented with role models and opportunities that show them they should work for and expect more out of live than minimum wage retail jobs. I think they’d do better recieving training from some one like Mrs. Jackson that was interviewed for this article.
atlnative
August 24th, 2012
3:59 pm
@Inhabitant: It sounds like you need a hug! Get rid of those toxic people in your life!
Spring-Fresh
August 24th, 2012
4:00 pm
I think the residents don’t particularly have a problem with the Family Dollar Store but where it is cited to be built. I moved into the area in 2000 and there was nothing there but homes and Southwest Hospital, Mays High School, Jean Child Young Middle School and some of the apartments on Fairburn Road. Since that time it has seen its share of growth (condos, apartments, stores/plaza on the main street which is Fairburn Road). The site of the Family Dollar is pretty much going to be on Benjamin E. Mays Drive I believe that putting a store of any kind whether Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, Walmart or Family Dollar would not be a good thing that close to a residential district.
Lord help us all
August 24th, 2012
4:07 pm
Sitting reading these comment really brought chill through my spine, I am so disappointed in both side of the argument, This blog will really open your eyes up to the way people really feel about one another. Racism does still exist and will only continue until we as a whole find a way to love and treat each other with respect. THIS IS SO SAD GOD LOVES ALL HIS CHILDREN NO MATTER THE SHAPE, SIZE OR COLOR.
AltN8tivITP
August 24th, 2012
4:08 pm
Why isn’t my last post showing up?
Lord help us all
August 24th, 2012
4:09 pm
@Spring-fresh I believe that is what the article was trying to say, but it just bought out the racism in blacks and whites.
Redcoat
August 24th, 2012
4:11 pm
SW ATL…………Who controls the zoning? What business practices at the gas station do you mean?
And any job and the person working it should be respected! People get their start in life in different places and ways, don’t you know?
AltN8tivITP
August 24th, 2012
4:12 pm
Hello, AJC…why are my posts not showing up?
old school doc
August 24th, 2012
4:12 pm
Our area, is proudly mixed income. The Cascade corridor has a long history of being inhabited by African American professionals. We are solidly middle class, some even upper middle class. Our neighborhood borders even more mixed income housing.
Many of us are desperately trying to keep SW Atlanta the stable desired community it once was. Saturating our areas with cheap stores (and weave shops too) caters to a demographic that is close by, but not representative of many of the folks here.
Some might say it is snooty, but we are sick and tired of outside interests slapping up any old kind of establishment in our area and expecting us to be grateful. Did they even bother to come to the community to ensure that the building fits architecturally with the surrounding areas? No. Our neighborhood is filled with 4 -sided brick homes, large lot sizes and lots of greenery. FD clear cut the land, and has planned an UGLY white metal monstrosity, with minimal landscaping. The community did not know about this particular FD until it was a done deal.
That is why we are mad.
Baby
August 24th, 2012
4:17 pm
OK, so try to make sure a police officer sits there and tickets if there’s a concern about crime and traffic, and you’ll still be able to get Lysol cheaper than at Wally World. FD just opened in Oakhurst, and guess what? None of the doomsday predictions occurred. What a shock. (Lots of white people there too, so no, they’re not just opening in predominantly African American communities.
Mangler
August 24th, 2012
4:20 pm
All companies target their main source of income. If FD is targeting black neighborhoods, then that means they are making money in those neighborhoods. However, unlike some chains, FD exists in all types neighborhoods. Are they more predominant in some areas? Sure, due to their business model which dictates that they get built in neighborhoods vs. something you’d find in a mall or a highway off ramp or a resort town.
I’ve heard the crime argument before, but it’s usually related to a specific street or community vs the actual business.
If you truly don’t want it in the neighborhood, then don’t frequent it. But I have a feeling that the store will do just fine. Just like when people get all up in arms over a walmart breaking ground but then shop there every week anyway.
As for why they aren’t building a whole foods or something more boutique instead … because the business models of those stores don’t correspond with the socioeconomics of this particular street, it’s that simple.
Redcoat
August 24th, 2012
4:20 pm
old school doc…….. Who controls the zoning? “Outsiders” don’t just come in and do what they want, someone approves this, and you might be surprised that you did, and didn’t even know it!
East Lake Ira
August 24th, 2012
4:23 pm
One opened in Oakhurst – Decatur – and it’s lovely.
Get over yourselves folks.
Truth2012
August 24th, 2012
4:26 pm
the blacks are right on this one!
RealTalk
August 24th, 2012
4:27 pm
Too Busy to Hate Gang.
josh
August 24th, 2012
4:27 pm
So Bergdorf Gooman decided not to locate in the Cascade area? I can’t figure that one out….LOL
The only reason the SW of Atlanta is full of liquor and loto outlets is that you use them. Have you folks not ever figured our supply and demand??
Truth2012
August 24th, 2012
4:28 pm
If the blacks in the area want to keep their area nice… then let them do what they gotta do! I agree that lower class businesses bring lower class people, and potentially more lower class pple moving closer by.
Christopher Seward
August 24th, 2012
4:30 pm
I have no idea why your comments aren’t showing up, AltN8tivITP. All comments are monitored, however, to make sure they stay on topic.
UNBELIEVABLE
August 24th, 2012
4:30 pm
Really?? The black community is complaining about a business opening in their neighborhood and like someone else said on here they would be complaining if a business wouldn’t open their doors their for the very reasons stated in the article. I live in north Georgia in basically a middle class
area and on my 8 mile drive home, the last 3 miles there are four Family Dollars or Dollar Generals. They’re not targeting black neighborhoods, they are targeting what market conditions indicate which
apparently is potential. Count your friggin blessings, alot of places are going out of business!!!! morons
bernlee
August 24th, 2012
4:32 pm
I cannot believe what I am reading…I am a “well off” senior living the life on a lakefront home in NC(formerly, in east cobb). My home is worth over 3/4 of a million dollars…and I shop and 2 dollar general stores in my NC zip code..as I did in Marietta! Guess that’s why I can now afford the lifestyle I am blessed enough to experience!
Rhett Butler
August 24th, 2012
4:37 pm
Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.
Truth2012
August 24th, 2012
4:41 pm
Fellow white people, stop comparing your nice white areas like East Cobb with South / East/ West Atlanta. The chances of you being a victim of violent crime in a place like E Cobb is 1 in 10,000+, the chances of being a victim of violent crime in most of these areas is around 1 in 30. These people know what they are talking about, let them do what they know they have to to have a nice area!
Jed
August 24th, 2012
4:41 pm
I love Family Dollar, but I can see both sides of the argument. Of course, the residents have a right to protest, and I think they have a point, too.
But also, Family Dollar is a great place you can save some money.
And who cares about skin color? Racism goes both ways, but as a white person, I have to say I am really ashamed at some of these things being said on this post. Not all white people think this way.
old school doc
August 24th, 2012
4:42 pm
I understand FD wants to make money. But there are already six, with 2 more on the way, within a three mile radius of my home. It is too much. And the majority of them are UGLY, and cheaply built. Do you want a white metal monstrosity near your home?
GFY
August 24th, 2012
4:46 pm
Simple Solution…..don’t buy there wares and they wouldn’t put them in your neighborhood. Obviously somebody’s buying their goods and they are making money. They are not like the gov’t. They actually need to have a sound business model.
Redcoat
August 24th, 2012
4:49 pm
I understand and really sympathize with those wanting to keep your neighborhood in a standard you want, but somebody is not representing your interests it seems….FD is not the source, it’s probably the ones you put in office that control this!…….best check that out
GFY
August 24th, 2012
4:49 pm
If you don’t like the punks hangin’ in the parking lot then pass loitering laws from City Council and then have cops enforce them….make it a pain in the backside for the bums to hang in your area.
Bill
August 24th, 2012
4:51 pm
F.D. wouldn’t build their stores there if they didn’t already know that they will be profitable. The simplest answer is to not shop there. The sticking point is that the “community leaders” don’t trust their own neighbors, residents, constituents, etc. to not patronize F.D.
old school doc
August 24th, 2012
4:53 pm
gfy–
An issue is that because our neighborhood is affordable, many of lesser means move here and shop here. I think it is nice to offer something for everyone BUT we are getting saturated with cheap stores. A LARGE portion of our community will never grace the FD doorstep, but they are counting on, and will get, plenty of foot traffic from the other less well off adjoining areas.
FD knows they will have a full lot of buyers–whether or not my neighborhood is better off or not is obviously not their concern.
SW ATL Resident
August 24th, 2012
5:02 pm
Redcoat – I’m not sure what you think the protests are aimed at. One of the stated goals is to get the zoning changed. City councilmembers are involved in order to affect that change. What else would the point be? We know Family Dollar is very unlikely to willingly abandon their plans.
RAMZAD
August 24th, 2012
5:09 pm
Black people always picks the wrong people to terrorize. It is not Family Dollar’s fault that black politicians are such crooked wimps, who can’t set a decent development agenda that calls for people to get educated, calls for giving strategic industries seed bed, calls for a declaration of war against criminals, and getting the community to be known for something other than homicides.
Family Dollar is just a symptom of a community reality that the are all the black community can attract. You kind of get what you deserve. That is usually how America works.Do you see Roswell
or Dunwoody or Smyrna worrying about Family Dollar?
SW ATL Resident
August 24th, 2012
5:11 pm
My problems with the gas station’s business practice are myriad. 1. They don’t enforce loitering policies. 2. The workers aren’t friendly. 3. The storefront is not maintained. 4. They charge higher prices than several other stores in the neighborhood.
And I stand by my statement that Family Dollar is not the best place for a high school student to receive career training. I understand that for some, retail jobs mae ends meet and provide an adequate living. However, I don’t think it’s necessary to “teach” students these skills while they’re still in school, as if they provide the only road to employment. I think it’s better to encourage business ownership and more professional careers. It’ better to be over qualified for a job than under qualified right? If some students end up working at Famil Dollar, so be it. That’s not a bad thing. I just believe they should be exposed to better opportunities also. As a student at Mays, I was exposed to a wealth of role models and opportunities. I believe I’m a productive employee, parent and citizen in part, because of that exposure.
Ayn Rand was Right
August 24th, 2012
5:14 pm
I think that there is a very low chance that there is a $400K house any where near this FD location. Sorry, home values in Atlanta are in the toilet.
And @ Ken Cascade…part of your problem is right in your description of your children…Black Princesses, really…I am glad you think your children are beautiful, but teaching them that they are better than everyone else, does not help them to get along.
LiveandLetLive
August 24th, 2012
5:15 pm
I think the protesters are wrong about the store “targeting” blacks. The demographic that they are targeting is an income level (the type that typically shops at their stores) not the color of their skin. Money is money and that’s what all corporations are for, making money and they are not particular about who they get their money from. That said, I applaud the protesters for taking an interest and initiative in their neighborhood and what happens to it. They deserve to have input.The protest might be a bit late in the process, I don’t know, but it still is an effective way to get PEOPLE involved in their neighborhoods (pro or con). I say go for it and phooey on anyone who wants to sit at their computer and make snap judgements. Also, I’d suggest attending their NPU meetings to those that aren’t already and starting an initiative to attract the types of businesses they want in their neighborhood.
Ayn Rand was Right
August 24th, 2012
5:22 pm
@dillustionalrednecks…honey you need to take a pill…you are wound up tight!
RAMZAD
August 24th, 2012
5:24 pm
Talking about home values in Cascade is irrelevant if you have three murders per month up the street near the top Kroger and all that fried chicken garbage by the BP. Fact is that Cascade
has seen more than its share of horror murders in the last five years- even when things were
good.
You ought to be addressing the idiot mayor, Kasim Reed, about his lack of vision for improving
the Atlanta experience. That quack believes community improvement is collecting more taxes.
Family Dollar is not the problem.Ineffective black government is.
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August 24th, 2012
7:08 pm
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