Bismarckans are very set in their ways, and often extremely loyal to their stores and restaurants. Bismarck's city slogan could be "The City Who Never Forgets". I swear here in Bismarck we have more survivors of former national chains than anywhere else.
Take The Woodhouse Restaurant, the only known survivor of the multinational chain King's Food Host, which went out of business in the last 1970s. At its height, King's had restaurants in 17 states and 1 Canadian Province, but today Bismarck retains the only survivor. Scotty's Drive-In was also once a regional chain. Although no longer a chain, Bismarck contains one of only four remaining Scotty's restaurants.
Let's ponder for a minute what would happen if one of Bismarck's long-time restaurants were to close, say... Big Boy. Not that that's likely to ever happen considering its popularity, but what would Bismarckans do without their Hot N Tots and Pizza Burger Flying Styles? There would likely be a widespread panic felt not only in the city, but across the country. Bismarckans have already proven that they couldn't survive without their Cheese Frenchees or Rebel Burgers by keeping The Woodhouse and Scotty's alive all these decades later.
If you know anyone who grew up in Bismarck, but no longer lives here, ask them sometime what they look forward to most when returning (other than family and friends, of course) and they often say... "Big Boy" or "Scotty's" or maybe "Space Aliens". Former Bismarckans can't even escape the large chain restaurants like Hardees - who now have only two locations in all of Minneapolis-Saint Paul - the metro where most ex-Bismarckans live.
Bismarckans tend to favor the same retail stores too, local or national. Home Depot's closure, just three years after opening, is a good example - as Bismarckans continued to shop at nearby Menards. For years, people had been wanting another choice in the home improvement field, but when Home Depot finally arrived in 2004, the Menards parking lot remained packed full.
Bismarck's first modern-day discount store, Kmart, opened in 1971, and continued to thrive even after the arrival of White Mart in 1979, Target in 1980, and Wal-Mart in 1990. In fact, the Bismarck Kmart was ranked in the top 10% of the company for many years. Although Wal-Mart's arrival on State Street four years ago took a dip in Kmart's business, the store continues to survive due in part to its loyal fanbase.
Local retailer A.W. Lucas continued to thrive amidst increasing national competition, again due in part to its intensely loyal customers. Even today, thirty years after its closure, those who remember Lucas's (as most of them call it) talk about how much they miss it. People still have not fully accepted the closure of Herbergers at Gateway Mall either, despite that the Kirkwood location is much larger. I still hear people saying how much they miss the Gateway Herbergers.
Considering how loyal Bismarckans are to their long-time stores and restaurants, it would be quite a dampener if one were to ever close. Prescriptions for anti-anxiety drugs would probably have a spike if people could no longer get their Cheese Frenchees or Hot N Tots.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Gateway Mall Suffers Another Loss
It was announced on June 26 that two stores, Conlin's Furniture and Joy's Hallmark, would be leaving Gateway Fashion Mall. This is just another blow to the recently renovated shopping center, which first opened in 1979, who already is searching for a tenant after CVS/pharmacy (an original tenant) vacated earlier in the year.
Joy's Hallmark had been at the center for over twenty years, and also has a location at Kirkwood Mall, which the company says is staying open.
Conlin's Furniture, who first arrived in Bismarck upon purchasing Reff Furniture in 1955, relocated from downtown to Gateway Mall at the end of 2004, occupying a space left mostly vacant since 1994.
The space that currently occupies Conlin's Furniture originally housed local department store A.W. Lucas, a company first established in 1899. Lucas closed not long after relocating to the mall, but was immediately replaced by Herberger's, who also left in 1994 upon expanding their Kirkwood Mall location. Since then, the space was unable to maintain stable tenants for ten years until Conlin's occupied the spot. Jacob's Trading Company, later known as World's Greatest Deals, occupied the space for a short time inbetween Herberger's and Conlin's.
This now marks the fourth time a major retailer vacates the space occupied by Conlin's, at a time when the mall is already facing high vacancies. The space is lsited at 70,000 square feet, which is a typical sized department store. In an down economy, it seems likely the space will sit empty for some time.
Although Conlin's new location has not been confirmed, many suspect it will occupy the former Home Depot building, empty since the big box DIY chain left in 2008. This seems to be the only space large enough in the city to house Conlin's Furniture, and it seems unlikely they are planning to construct their own location.
The Home Depot building is larger than the space it currently occupies, which means the retailer may be sharing part of the building with another business, much like Office Depot and Big Lots! share the former BEST building. Or, if Conlin's chooses to occupy the entire building, the retailer may be planning to build a furniture "super store" with a larger sales floor; or relocate some of their warehouse space into the building.
To read more about Conlin's Furniture, click here: http://www.strekonline.com/bismarck/terms/conlins.htm
To read more about Gateway Fashion Mall, click here: http://www.strekonline.com/bismarck/terms/gateway.htm
Joy's Hallmark had been at the center for over twenty years, and also has a location at Kirkwood Mall, which the company says is staying open.
Conlin's Furniture, who first arrived in Bismarck upon purchasing Reff Furniture in 1955, relocated from downtown to Gateway Mall at the end of 2004, occupying a space left mostly vacant since 1994.
The space that currently occupies Conlin's Furniture originally housed local department store A.W. Lucas, a company first established in 1899. Lucas closed not long after relocating to the mall, but was immediately replaced by Herberger's, who also left in 1994 upon expanding their Kirkwood Mall location. Since then, the space was unable to maintain stable tenants for ten years until Conlin's occupied the spot. Jacob's Trading Company, later known as World's Greatest Deals, occupied the space for a short time inbetween Herberger's and Conlin's.
This now marks the fourth time a major retailer vacates the space occupied by Conlin's, at a time when the mall is already facing high vacancies. The space is lsited at 70,000 square feet, which is a typical sized department store. In an down economy, it seems likely the space will sit empty for some time.
Although Conlin's new location has not been confirmed, many suspect it will occupy the former Home Depot building, empty since the big box DIY chain left in 2008. This seems to be the only space large enough in the city to house Conlin's Furniture, and it seems unlikely they are planning to construct their own location.
The Home Depot building is larger than the space it currently occupies, which means the retailer may be sharing part of the building with another business, much like Office Depot and Big Lots! share the former BEST building. Or, if Conlin's chooses to occupy the entire building, the retailer may be planning to build a furniture "super store" with a larger sales floor; or relocate some of their warehouse space into the building.
To read more about Conlin's Furniture, click here: http://www.strekonline.com/bismarck/terms/conlins.htm
To read more about Gateway Fashion Mall, click here: http://www.strekonline.com/bismarck/terms/gateway.htm
Friday, May 1, 2009
Remembering The Flood of April 1952
Recent flooding has caused devastation across the state, and within Bismarck itself. It has left many in southern Bismarck worrying about flood potential of the Missouri River. 2009 marked the first major flooding of the Missouri River in 57 years.
Flooding was a common occurrence in Bismarck prior to the closure of Garrison Dam, which occurred in April 1953. It was not uncommon for springtime floods to cover much of the land south of present-day Main Avenue.
One of the worst of such floods occurred in April 1952, when the Missouri River crested at 27.9 feet. On April 6, the river rose 5 feet in just 2 hours, increasing from 20.2 feet at 11:30am to 25 feet at 1:30pm. Nearly everything south of U.S. Hwy 10 (Memorial Hwy/Main Ave) was under water. 200 houses were destroyed and the Wachter Family reported the loss of 300 cattle.
The completion of Garrison Dam allowed, for the first time, major development south of Main Avenue. Prior to this, the Wachter Family and Yegen Family owned most of the land.
Like the flooding seen this year, the 1952 Flood was also primarily caused by ice jams. According to the National Weather Service, the April 1952 river level was the 4th highest recorded. The highest was 31.6 feet on March 31, 1883. Flood stage is 16 feet.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Weather Déjà Vu
This storm really has that feeling of déjà vu. Winter seems to be heading out like it arrived, with a repeat storm much like that seen on November 5-7. Just as the November 2008 storm, this recent winter storm also started with rain and thunder, and turned into heavy snow and wind.
Making things worse, of course, is the widespread flooding across the state. Entire cities across the region have been evacuated do to severe flooding, and it is now being felt in Bismarck-Mandan. Apple Creek, Heart River, and the Missouri River are all seeing flooding, forcing mandatory evacuations at Fox Island and the Marina Bay area.
More than 80 inches of snow has fallen across Bismarck-Mandan this season, nearing the all-time record of 101.4 inches set in 1997. This has been the wettest winter in over a decade, and Mother Nature seems to be making up for it.
Whether Bismarck hits the all-time record or not, this winter is one for the history books.
December 2008 saw more snow than any other month.On top of the snow, we've seen rain several times this winter.
Making things worse, of course, is the widespread flooding across the state. Entire cities across the region have been evacuated do to severe flooding, and it is now being felt in Bismarck-Mandan. Apple Creek, Heart River, and the Missouri River are all seeing flooding, forcing mandatory evacuations at Fox Island and the Marina Bay area.
More than 80 inches of snow has fallen across Bismarck-Mandan this season, nearing the all-time record of 101.4 inches set in 1997. This has been the wettest winter in over a decade, and Mother Nature seems to be making up for it.
Whether Bismarck hits the all-time record or not, this winter is one for the history books.
- The season's first major snowstorm began on November 5, when thunderstorms turned to snow, dumping a total of 9.4 inches.
- Bismarck Public Schools cancelled school for the first time since April 1997.
- December 2008 snowiest month of all-time, with 33.3 inches.
- 1 degree away from all-time coldest temperature recorded in Bismarck, at -44 degrees.
- Rain fell on the region on February 9 & 10, less than one month from nearly reaching all-time lowest temperature recorded.
- Widespread flooding seen beginning Mid-March, forcing evacuation of entire cities, and certain parts of Bismarck.
- Thunderstorms once again lead into a major blizzard beginning on March 23 - adding more precipitation to the region.
December 2008 saw more snow than any other month.On top of the snow, we've seen rain several times this winter.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Response to Pharmacy Ownership Bill Vote
After months of advertising, debates, and heavy anticipation from both sides, North Dakota senators voted 57-35 against repealing the current pharmacy ownership law, enacted in 1963.
Clearly the majority of North Dakota’s state senators are not for the common citizens, but instead filling their own pocketbooks with bribes from their pharmacist cohorts. By their own admittance, they have been inundated with phone calls and emails urging them to vote for the repeal, and chose to ignore those pleas. Clearly most North Dakotans want to see this law repealed.
By voting against this law, many North Dakotans will continue to go out of state to obtain their prescriptions, handing important tax revenue to neighboring states. Many of our local pharmacies now hold monopolies on the cities they serve, and this bill would have ended that. Competition keeps everything in check, and is necessary.
If these senators were complaining about the amount of messages they had before, just wait until now, after they chose to ignore the needs of the people they represent. I commend those 35 senators who voted for the repeal, and applaud them for standing up for what was right.
Clearly the majority of North Dakota’s state senators are not for the common citizens, but instead filling their own pocketbooks with bribes from their pharmacist cohorts. By their own admittance, they have been inundated with phone calls and emails urging them to vote for the repeal, and chose to ignore those pleas. Clearly most North Dakotans want to see this law repealed.
By voting against this law, many North Dakotans will continue to go out of state to obtain their prescriptions, handing important tax revenue to neighboring states. Many of our local pharmacies now hold monopolies on the cities they serve, and this bill would have ended that. Competition keeps everything in check, and is necessary.
If these senators were complaining about the amount of messages they had before, just wait until now, after they chose to ignore the needs of the people they represent. I commend those 35 senators who voted for the repeal, and applaud them for standing up for what was right.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Thrifty White Drug Is Going Too Far
A recent article posted in the Bismarck Tribune has revealed an e-mail sent out by a Thrifty White Drug executive to pharmacists of the regional drug chain with a disturbing message. In the email, employees were told that unless they oppose repealing the pharmacy ownership law, they will not see raises this year.
Other statements in the executive’s email were also questionable, including a statement that read, "For those of you who have failed so miserably in this cause, reward will be based upon cooperation and performance."
It is a personal choice whether or not to support a law, and employees cannot be punished for their opinion on such a law. There is no law saying a company has to grant raises at all, but granting them to only those who support a law is not right. The tone of the email is not acceptable either.
I suspect many employees will look for other jobs following this, and that some customers may be turned away. Thrifty White has been a well-respected company across North Dakota for many years, but this conduct now casts serious doubt on the company’s ethical practices.
Clearly Thrifty White is concerned about increased competition should the law be repealed, and responding irrationally to the situation. The company is one of only two chain drugstores in the state (the other being CVS/pharmacy) and has locations in all major cities, where national chains would most likely build.
Amusingly enough, Thrifty White has been one of the leading opponents of the repeal, claiming it will destroy locally owned pharmacies, of which Thrifty White itself does not classify.
This desperate attempt at coercion is appalling and disgraceful.
To Read More About Thrifty White Drug, Click Here
To Read The Bismarck Tribune Article, Click Here
Other statements in the executive’s email were also questionable, including a statement that read, "For those of you who have failed so miserably in this cause, reward will be based upon cooperation and performance."
It is a personal choice whether or not to support a law, and employees cannot be punished for their opinion on such a law. There is no law saying a company has to grant raises at all, but granting them to only those who support a law is not right. The tone of the email is not acceptable either.
I suspect many employees will look for other jobs following this, and that some customers may be turned away. Thrifty White has been a well-respected company across North Dakota for many years, but this conduct now casts serious doubt on the company’s ethical practices.
Clearly Thrifty White is concerned about increased competition should the law be repealed, and responding irrationally to the situation. The company is one of only two chain drugstores in the state (the other being CVS/pharmacy) and has locations in all major cities, where national chains would most likely build.
Amusingly enough, Thrifty White has been one of the leading opponents of the repeal, claiming it will destroy locally owned pharmacies, of which Thrifty White itself does not classify.
This desperate attempt at coercion is appalling and disgraceful.
To Read More About Thrifty White Drug, Click Here
To Read The Bismarck Tribune Article, Click Here
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
The Truth About Pharmacy Laws of North Dakota
There has been another recent push to repeal the pharmacy law in North Dakota that restricts pharmacy ownership. The law, which was enacted in 1963, was created to protect locally-owned pharmacies from national and/or regional chains. This is not the first time this law has been challenged, however.
One notable challenge came in 1973 when regional drug chain Snyder's Drug made claim that the law was unconstitutional. Snyder's parent, Red Owl, already had several grocery stores within the state and had hoped to expand into the pharmacy business. In 1977, Osco Drug and White Drug also challenged the law alongside the National Association of Chain Pharmacies, but lost.
North Dakota has two exceptions to this law, CVS/pharmacy and Thrifty White Drug. CVS had purchased Osco Drug in 2006, which, along with White Drug, had locations in North Dakota prior to the law.
Those who support the law say repealing it would put an end to local ownership. Many argue that they receiving better customer service and one-on-one attention from the pharmacist. Some have also argued that a locally owned pharmacy is safer; claiming that a pharmacist takes a less active role in national chain stores.
Those who want the law repealed claim that national competition will provide more options and lower costs. No doubt about it, the moment the law would be repealed, national stores such as Walgreens and Wal-Mart would rush into the state. North Dakota is the only state of which Wal-Mart does not operate pharmacies.
It is true that national chains often rely on pharmacy technicians to fill prescriptions, however a pharmacist is still ultimately responsible for each script filled. A pharmacist is always present and must personally verify each script. He is putting his career and reputation on the line with each verification. Secondly, pharmacy techs must become certified, and typically undergo rigorous training. There are even college degrees targeted for pharmacy technicians. Additionally, if a technician and pharmacist are both working on your script, that makes two people making sure there are no mistakes. Most local pharmacies have just a pharmacist on duty.
Saying that a local pharmacy is safer than a national chain just isn’t true. Yes, there have been circumstances across the country of wrongly dispensed medication at national chains, but even those are rare. CVS and Walgreens alone have over 12,000 stores in the United States, so there is bound to be a mistake once and awhile amongst the millions of prescriptions filled each year. It is not always the pharmacy’s fault either, but sometimes the doctor who prescribed the medicine.
This country is built on free enterprise, and yet North Dakota is restricting that freedom by not allowing these companies to do business in this state. With this law in place, it is also limiting competition in the state, and in turn creating local monopolies.
Residents are worried about their small-town pharmacy going out of business. First off, if your local pharmacy is as great as you make it sound, it will be able to effectively compete against the national chains. It will only fail because it is not as good, and then I ask you if that’s what you want – an inadequate pharmacy.
National chains offer more than just pharmacies, they offer a full array of household merchandise as well. It’s hard to find a candy bar in a local pharmacy, much-less a bottle of laundry detergent. National chains often have longer hours as well, and many even have in-store walk-in clinics such as CVS’s Minute Clinic.
In the end, your small-town pharmacy will survive. Only pharmacies near the larger cities, especially Bismarck and Fargo, will be affected. Most chains won’t even consider a store in a trade area less than 50,000 people.
One notable challenge came in 1973 when regional drug chain Snyder's Drug made claim that the law was unconstitutional. Snyder's parent, Red Owl, already had several grocery stores within the state and had hoped to expand into the pharmacy business. In 1977, Osco Drug and White Drug also challenged the law alongside the National Association of Chain Pharmacies, but lost.
North Dakota has two exceptions to this law, CVS/pharmacy and Thrifty White Drug. CVS had purchased Osco Drug in 2006, which, along with White Drug, had locations in North Dakota prior to the law.
Those who support the law say repealing it would put an end to local ownership. Many argue that they receiving better customer service and one-on-one attention from the pharmacist. Some have also argued that a locally owned pharmacy is safer; claiming that a pharmacist takes a less active role in national chain stores.
Those who want the law repealed claim that national competition will provide more options and lower costs. No doubt about it, the moment the law would be repealed, national stores such as Walgreens and Wal-Mart would rush into the state. North Dakota is the only state of which Wal-Mart does not operate pharmacies.
It is true that national chains often rely on pharmacy technicians to fill prescriptions, however a pharmacist is still ultimately responsible for each script filled. A pharmacist is always present and must personally verify each script. He is putting his career and reputation on the line with each verification. Secondly, pharmacy techs must become certified, and typically undergo rigorous training. There are even college degrees targeted for pharmacy technicians. Additionally, if a technician and pharmacist are both working on your script, that makes two people making sure there are no mistakes. Most local pharmacies have just a pharmacist on duty.
Saying that a local pharmacy is safer than a national chain just isn’t true. Yes, there have been circumstances across the country of wrongly dispensed medication at national chains, but even those are rare. CVS and Walgreens alone have over 12,000 stores in the United States, so there is bound to be a mistake once and awhile amongst the millions of prescriptions filled each year. It is not always the pharmacy’s fault either, but sometimes the doctor who prescribed the medicine.
This country is built on free enterprise, and yet North Dakota is restricting that freedom by not allowing these companies to do business in this state. With this law in place, it is also limiting competition in the state, and in turn creating local monopolies.
Residents are worried about their small-town pharmacy going out of business. First off, if your local pharmacy is as great as you make it sound, it will be able to effectively compete against the national chains. It will only fail because it is not as good, and then I ask you if that’s what you want – an inadequate pharmacy.
National chains offer more than just pharmacies, they offer a full array of household merchandise as well. It’s hard to find a candy bar in a local pharmacy, much-less a bottle of laundry detergent. National chains often have longer hours as well, and many even have in-store walk-in clinics such as CVS’s Minute Clinic.
In the end, your small-town pharmacy will survive. Only pharmacies near the larger cities, especially Bismarck and Fargo, will be affected. Most chains won’t even consider a store in a trade area less than 50,000 people.
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