It seems there is a local fear that should a Dollar General store be built in Grand Marais it will eventually lead to an influx of “pole dancing” establishments. Wouldn’t that actually be a terrific opportunity for the YMCA to host some exciting new classes? A possible chance to add extra hours to your Moving Matters account? Let’s think outside the box-store here folks!
Will a Dollar General bring the Grand Marais economy to its knees? Highly unlikely.
How many of us already travel to Duluth a couple times a year to load up on cheaper goods? Or purchase items online to save a few bucks? Considering activity at our three local thrift shops, Ruby’s Pantry, the local food shelf and an increased demand for social services like heat assistance programs, a Dollar General might in part provide for what appears to be a growing need in our community.
Will a new structure diminish the ambiance of the Grand Marais west end? With the current accumulation of defunct businesses and a proposed city maintenance garage…that’s doubtful. Would “dark sky” light pollution at the Dollar General be any more annoying than that at our county courthouse… hardly.
Wouldn’t it be refreshing to see something built in Grand Marais without the need for bonding, grant money, funding from IRRRB and continued operating support dollars from city and county taxes? Even the expense of local officials traveling to St. Paul to pander state representatives for project support would not be required.
A Dollar General will add a few jobs, pay local taxes and be staffed by folks who live here, not those dreaded alien beings from Goodlettsville, Tennessee. Before we villagers storm the castle with lighted torches, let’s try to be a little more tolerant and stop sounding like Donald Trump before we start screening tourists at the county line.
Bob LaMettry
Grand Marais
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