The supermarket chain's practice of holding empty stores, highlighted in a recent story by Asheville Watchdog, has an especially big impact in land-starved Transylvania County.
Some cities, Detroit is one I believe, that levy HIGHER property taxes on undeveloped land and vacant commercial property. That gives an incentive for property owners to build out, sell or lease the properties. Would love to see something similar here. Ingles is damaging our community.
I think this is a great idea since empty unused buildings do not generate the kind of tax revenue that a functioning business would, and so it is a stress on the city budget to continue to provide services such as police, fire, road, emergency, etc. to a facility that is not carrying its weight in terms of monetary support of those services!
They do a high volume business . If one has any budgeting or income concerns, shopping at ingles can easily increase your grocery budget by 50 to 100 dollars a week. WEEK.
This looks like a job for eminent domain. The County should negotiate with Ingles to sell or get into the residential property management business. If they cannot come to terms, have a builder put together a multi use affordable housing/ retail package. We need the housing, and the tax implications would justify an eminent domain take over. Win win (as Win Dixie says) for the community.
Kimberly says she doesn't know what can be done, but I think she does. She identifies the best answer but discounts its potential effectiveness.
The City might not have tools to use but WE do! Each of us chooses several times a week where to buy our groceries and there are many choices. Each time you decide where to shop you vote with your dollars and the merchants hear your voice. Not as an individual but acting as a group they hear you.
Acting as a group, it's called a BOYCOTT and it works! I was in Montgomery, Alabama last week where history was made in the mid 50's and a movement was launched. In the 60's and 70's people boycotted buying lettuce and grapes and farm workers, mostly in California, saw changes in wages, living, and working conditions. More recently and closer to home, from 2016 to 2020, NC lost $400M in jobs and investments due to a boycott brought about in opposition to NC HB2, the discriminatory Public Facilities Privacy & Securities Act. Bruce Springsteen cancelled his concert in Greensboro as part of the boycott and made it very clear that's why the show was cancelled, and a governor lost his bid for re-election. The NC legislature repealed the bill.
Like Kimberly, we have shopped almost exclusively at Ingles since moving here nearly three decades ago, but we have a choice and plan to exercise that choice in support of local businesses and the health of Brevard's economy.
Does anyone know what aisle the coffee is on in Food Lion?
What a helpful article. Food Lion is a nice alternative to Ingles, and they contribute food to Sharing House, which Ingles refuses to do. And Aldi stocks great merchandise at much lower prices. Much as I've appreciated Ingles' availability of some exotic items, I think I'm interested in making a small economic impact against them holding so many large properties in our small town; if others feel that way, it could become a large economic impact.
They probably dont miss anybody. Every item they sell is about 2 dollars higher them other grocers so itd probably take a while to feel any hardship.
Ingles caters to the northern retirees and bacstoonets used to higher prices. Their more central location helps too. It sure is a shame the forest lost that access to bi lo. And not having K Mart is a hardship too. Both for shopping and employment.
The vacant T’Times bldg and the huge mud hole near the Courthouse add to the look lack of investment in Brevard. Pretty landscaping taking away parking spots seems to be adding to the gentrified “ghost town” appearance of our downtown.
Perhaps all here who are as frustrated as I am by the greed of Ingles and their obvious sloth-like approach to utilizing these vacant buildings for anything useful, could write to Ingles corporate and voice your opinion and intention to shop elsewhere? Maybe this, along with related articles about the dormant KMart & BiLo, and how it’s negatively impacting the beauty and economy of Brevard will encourage the powers that be to make a move in the right direction. Ingles bought up BiLo so another supermarket company couldn’t move in and offer competition. But there are plenty of other businesses that could utilize these large spaces and bring more jobs and boost the economy here. I’ve heard of several good businesses, than would be great in Brevard, have showed interest in moving into the KMart building, but were turned down. So it again seems to come down to greed and wanting a monopoly on the property here. There really needs to be some type of statute that says a property can only stay vacant for a period of time, or pay higher taxes. And the owner needs to show they are actively considering potential buyers or renters, and who they are. Why shouldn’t they be held responsible? I believe Brevard is a beautiful, growing community. But with these buildings vacant on main roads into town, I’m afraid they really cause visitors to question whether we are thriving or dying.
Beyond we as a whole refusing to shop at Ingles (where I shop BTW), I don’t know what can be done. But if we could get the community cooperation, we might be able to affect change by taking this stand. Just a thought.
Some cities, Detroit is one I believe, that levy HIGHER property taxes on undeveloped land and vacant commercial property. That gives an incentive for property owners to build out, sell or lease the properties. Would love to see something similar here. Ingles is damaging our community.
Thank God this is not Detroit are anything to do with the North
I think this is a great idea since empty unused buildings do not generate the kind of tax revenue that a functioning business would, and so it is a stress on the city budget to continue to provide services such as police, fire, road, emergency, etc. to a facility that is not carrying its weight in terms of monetary support of those services!
I have had this beef with Ingles since shortly after the K-mart closed. Aldi & Food lion get my business.
Good they need it
They do a high volume business . If one has any budgeting or income concerns, shopping at ingles can easily increase your grocery budget by 50 to 100 dollars a week. WEEK.
This looks like a job for eminent domain. The County should negotiate with Ingles to sell or get into the residential property management business. If they cannot come to terms, have a builder put together a multi use affordable housing/ retail package. We need the housing, and the tax implications would justify an eminent domain take over. Win win (as Win Dixie says) for the community.
We really need more government vontrol
I am not for Government control, but give capitalism first right of refusal to fix it first.
Kimberly says she doesn't know what can be done, but I think she does. She identifies the best answer but discounts its potential effectiveness.
The City might not have tools to use but WE do! Each of us chooses several times a week where to buy our groceries and there are many choices. Each time you decide where to shop you vote with your dollars and the merchants hear your voice. Not as an individual but acting as a group they hear you.
Acting as a group, it's called a BOYCOTT and it works! I was in Montgomery, Alabama last week where history was made in the mid 50's and a movement was launched. In the 60's and 70's people boycotted buying lettuce and grapes and farm workers, mostly in California, saw changes in wages, living, and working conditions. More recently and closer to home, from 2016 to 2020, NC lost $400M in jobs and investments due to a boycott brought about in opposition to NC HB2, the discriminatory Public Facilities Privacy & Securities Act. Bruce Springsteen cancelled his concert in Greensboro as part of the boycott and made it very clear that's why the show was cancelled, and a governor lost his bid for re-election. The NC legislature repealed the bill.
Like Kimberly, we have shopped almost exclusively at Ingles since moving here nearly three decades ago, but we have a choice and plan to exercise that choice in support of local businesses and the health of Brevard's economy.
Does anyone know what aisle the coffee is on in Food Lion?
What a helpful article. Food Lion is a nice alternative to Ingles, and they contribute food to Sharing House, which Ingles refuses to do. And Aldi stocks great merchandise at much lower prices. Much as I've appreciated Ingles' availability of some exotic items, I think I'm interested in making a small economic impact against them holding so many large properties in our small town; if others feel that way, it could become a large economic impact.
I'm sure they don't miss you
They probably dont miss anybody. Every item they sell is about 2 dollars higher them other grocers so itd probably take a while to feel any hardship.
Ingles caters to the northern retirees and bacstoonets used to higher prices. Their more central location helps too. It sure is a shame the forest lost that access to bi lo. And not having K Mart is a hardship too. Both for shopping and employment.
All bilo kmarts are gone Ingles didn't run them out and I also miss them BiLo was in my neighborhood
The vacant T’Times bldg and the huge mud hole near the Courthouse add to the look lack of investment in Brevard. Pretty landscaping taking away parking spots seems to be adding to the gentrified “ghost town” appearance of our downtown.
Perhaps all here who are as frustrated as I am by the greed of Ingles and their obvious sloth-like approach to utilizing these vacant buildings for anything useful, could write to Ingles corporate and voice your opinion and intention to shop elsewhere? Maybe this, along with related articles about the dormant KMart & BiLo, and how it’s negatively impacting the beauty and economy of Brevard will encourage the powers that be to make a move in the right direction. Ingles bought up BiLo so another supermarket company couldn’t move in and offer competition. But there are plenty of other businesses that could utilize these large spaces and bring more jobs and boost the economy here. I’ve heard of several good businesses, than would be great in Brevard, have showed interest in moving into the KMart building, but were turned down. So it again seems to come down to greed and wanting a monopoly on the property here. There really needs to be some type of statute that says a property can only stay vacant for a period of time, or pay higher taxes. And the owner needs to show they are actively considering potential buyers or renters, and who they are. Why shouldn’t they be held responsible? I believe Brevard is a beautiful, growing community. But with these buildings vacant on main roads into town, I’m afraid they really cause visitors to question whether we are thriving or dying.
@Dan Dewitt, did you find out what the lease price on the old K-Mart is?
If ingles is willing to rent, have there not been any applicants? Why did bi lo leave? Is it considered too competitive for another grocer?
At the present time this is still a free country so Ingles can do what they want with their buildings and property
Beyond we as a whole refusing to shop at Ingles (where I shop BTW), I don’t know what can be done. But if we could get the community cooperation, we might be able to affect change by taking this stand. Just a thought.