GREENSBORO, NC -- You know what would be good for the struggling News & Record? Another big advertiser. One who isn't in this market yet - a brand new revenue source; one that would regularly do large advertising runs a few times a week. Someone like a grocery store.
Thus we get this shameful puff piece of front page crap boosterism by Jonelle Davis singing the praises of Trader Joe's. Although neighbors are fighting the location of a Trader Joe's in their neighborhood, pushing back against further expansion of commercial development, Davis' cheer leading barely acknowledges their existence much less their concerns.
Instead of balanced reporting or actual news, Davis brings us a lopsided Trader-Joe's sploogefest, droning on with enthusiastic anecdotes from media relations people. Once again, the News & Record has thrown a neighborhood under the bus, but never have its self-interested motives been so obvious. This marks a new low.
I went to Trader Joe's in Winston-Salem. The parking lot was packed; but then it is located with a LOT of other popular stores. The store was moderated crowded for a weekend. Nothing special, reminded me of a cross between a Wal-Mart and Fresh Market.
ReplyDeleteReasonable people can disagree on the merits of rezoning the tract for commercial use (and right now the entire chunk of land bounded by Hobbs, Friendly, Holden and Cornwallis is residential). But the public should not, and by law the zoning commission and council cannot, make their decision based on the identity of one prospective business. If the land is rezoned, lots of things besides Trader Joe's could go there, and many TJ fans might not much care for what could go in there instead.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I knew about Trader Joe's before the N&R's love note, I had the opinion that they sounded like the kind of place I'd like -- would at least try. That hasn't changed, but what bothers me is that the N&R would resort to this kind of blatant promotion disguised as "reporting." Seriously, did they even ask any of the "fans" they quote who also work in media relations if they are or have been employed by Traders Joe's?
ReplyDeleteAnd Lex makes a good point, the decision whether or not to push commercial development further down this block must be made independent of who might occupy it.
Lex is exactly right. The Zoning Commission and the City Council should not consider who a tenant of the development may be, but rather if the development is in harmony with the surrounding area. Rezonings run with the land and other "less desirable" stores could move in after Trader Joe's moves on (if they come in the first place).
ReplyDeleteThe article was not only "cheer-leading" it was also very misleading. The opponents of the rezoning are not opposed to a Trader Joe's coming to Greensboro. They are either opposed to a development that abuts their neighborhood or to another poor land use planning decision.
For the record Roch, are you going to remain firm in your principles and NOT shop at Trader Joe's when it opens?
ReplyDeleteHugh, the principles expressed in this article are about the nature of what passes for journalism at the News & Record. As I wrote above:
ReplyDelete"From what I knew about Trader Joe's before the N&R's love note, I had the opinion that they sounded like the kind of place I'd like -- would at least try. That hasn't changed..."