Campaign urges Utahns to shun chains, buy local

You won't find Dorothy Werner shopping at a Barnes & Noble bookstore.

Instead, Werner prefers locally owned establishments, like The King's English, a bookstore at 1500 South and 1500 East in Salt Lake City.

While Werner, a Chicago resident, is just visiting Salt Lake City, she wants her money to go to independent dealers.

"There's so much better service," Werner said. "Barnes & Noble has all of the 'pop' stuff, but they don't have anything like the selection of real literature that's here."

Local business owners hope more people will feel that way.

On Wednesday, they joined with government officials to launch "Buy Local First Week," a campaign that will run Nov. 12-20 and is designed to steer shoppers away from big-box retailers and into home-grown businesses.

Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson even signed a proclamation, making it official.

"People aren't responding enough," Anderson said during a press conference at Spotted Dog Creamery, 2980 S. State. "That's why we just saw Centerville approve another Wal-Mart. That's a terrible decision for their community.

"They had an opportunity with that land to build a walkable, charming community, a place where people really want to live, a high-quality of life. And now what are they going to have? A bunch of suburban-designed homes with garages in front, because they are all automobile dependent, and a Wal-Mart. And that's something we're trying to get away from here in Salt Lake City."

Salt Lake City's first Wal-Mart Supercenter opened in August 2004 near 1300 South and 300 West.

Anderson was joined Wednesday by representatives of Salt Lake County and Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s office, each calling on consumers to "buy local."

"You don't find our culture in some of the national chains," said Martin Frey, director of the Governor's Office of Economic Development. "When our local communities prosper, everyone in the state prospers."

Backing up those words was a $20,000 pledge by Salt Lake County's economic development office.

Dale Carpenter, director of the office, said the money will be used to promote "Buy Local First." Carpenter said roughly 75 percent of Salt Lake County's businesses employ fewer than 20 people, typically locally owned establishments.

Yet the campaign to shun big-box stores is not popular with everyone.