Here are my three questions for the people who are upset about a hypothetical high-end market. I don't mean any subtext by the questions or mean to suggest any answers. But I am curious about how you think your way to the reaction.
1. Do you look at any of these issues with regard to local, independent shops?A. Their pricing. Are their prices are the product of value-added service, poor volume, or strong pricing ability due to lack of competition?
B. Their supply base. Do they themselves buy from Detroit?
C. Their actual economic impact. Are the locals verifiably better in terms of wages, benefits and conditions?
D. Their community impact. If we are encouraged to support a business in the name of community, does it reciprocate?
E. Their owners' political views. If you knew which two of the seven highly-publicized Detroit small businesses were owned by people with extremely conservative or libertarian views, would that stop you from patronizing those businesses?
2. Given the many Detroiters are shopping at chains in the suburbs on any given day, how would banning chains in the city stop the bleed and the effects on local small business?
3. Do you think the problems [[real or perceived) with Whole Foods' organic program are on the minds of many people?