- Around the web
- Beach nourishment
- Business
- Columns
- Community news
- Editor's forum
- Entertainment
- Horoscope
- Local government
- Outer Banks Epicurean
- Quick bites
- Real estate
- Dare County
- Duck
- Eye on Dare
- Island Free Press
- Kill Devil Hills
- Kitty Hawk
- Manteo
- N.C. Coastal Federation
- Nags Head
- Nags Head Blog
- OBX Beach Life
- OBX Connection
- Outer Banks Free Press
- Outer Banks Journal
- Outer Banks Revealed
- Southern Shores
- The Sentinel
- The Virginian-Pilot
- Truth or Dare
Lowe’s unveils plans for store at Landing Drive
Lowe’s has submitted a site plan to Kill Devil Hills for a 159,000-square-foot home improvement store on U.S. 158 between West First Street and West Landing Drive.
The plan was delivered Tuesday afternoon and is the first step in a town review of the project.
Commercial zoning is already in place, and it’s possible that no major action other than site plan approval will be necessary for the project to move forward. But it is still early in the process.
“We’ll know that in a week or so,” said Planning Director Greg Loy.
Loy said various town departments, including fire, police and public works, will review the site plan, which lays out the footprint of the store and parking. It also provides details of its construction and changes that will have to be made to the site.
The site is just north of the Wright Brothers National Memorial. Southbound traffic would use a new entrance on U.S. 158. (Voice photo by Russ Lay)
Gerard Littlejohn, a spokesman for Lowe’s, said the company is always evaluating possible locations and does not discuss any plans until it closes on a property.
Dare County tax records show that the land is owned by the family of the late Francis W. Meekins and Times Printing Co.
Citizens will have an opportunity to comment on the project before the planning board and commissioners, but it would not require a formal public hearing unless a change in zoning or conditional use permit were involved.
The store would be built on 12.8 acres, which is now mostly covered with trees and other vegetation. The property is next to residential subdivisions to the south and west as well as a corner of the Wright Brothers National Memorial property to the southwest. Canal Drive runs behind the property.
Southbound traffic on U.S. 158 would be able to enter and leave the store parking lot by way of a new entrance with a design similar to those at the RC Theatres and Kmart. West Landing Drive would be reconfigured, possibly with a traffic light for northbound traffic to turn left to get to the store.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation would make the decision on a traffic light at West Landing. Access to the store would not be available from First Street, according to the site plan. A strip of land not included in the plan separates the project from First Street.
The store itself will be 120,587 square feet with a partially covered garden center measuring 38,467 square feet, according to the site plan. The parking lot would be paved with permeable concrete, providing a little over 400 spaces.
Residences to the rear would be separated by a vegetated buffer.
Preliminary sketches suggest a store similar to others built by the home improvement chain, although they indicate shutters across the front to suggest a more coastal look.
Loy said that Lowe’s had submitted a site plan more than 20 years ago for the area where Harris Teeter is now located at the Nags Head border. That plan was abandoned because of its proximity to Fresh Pond. Because Fresh Pond was a drinking water source, there were concerns about treated lumber, which would have required storing it within a building.
There also have been reports over the years of Lowe’s possible interest in a site on the Currituck mainland.
Since then, The Home Depot has opened in Kitty Hawk as part of an influx of chain stores and restaurants on the Outer Banks in recent years.
Loy said the Lowe’s would be the largest retail outlet in Kill Devil Hills.
See what people are saying:
Join the discussion:
-
- Lowe's unveils plans for store at Landing Drive
52 comments - Sand plan banking on oceanfront owners
49 comments - KDH panel looks at easing hotel height restrictions
42 comments - Plan has Nags Head assessing itself for sand
30 comments - Nags Head puts sand petition on a fast track
18 comments - Fifty-foot oceanfront limit still on the table in KDH
16 comments - Lowe's endorsed by Planning Board
15 comments
- Lowe's unveils plans for store at Landing Drive
Colleen says:
I cannot believe that there is enough business to warrant this big-box store. What a HUGE disappointment for our town. Now, folks at the top of the Wright Memorial Monument will be overheard saying, “Look! I can see Lowe’s from here!”
raving resident says:
Soon there will be nowhere left on this island that shows natural vegetation, nowhere to look for a scenic view along the bypass at all, nowhere to see what this island orignally was; they are stripping everything away. It will be nothing but wall to wall commercial property, just like Atlantic City.
Dixie Dude says:
“They pave paradise and put up a…Lowe’s”
Shannon says:
This is just gross.
Frank says:
Lowe’s is a quality store. There will be tax benefits to our town and since the property is already zoned for this type of development we will be better off to have this good corporate neighbor rather than more strip shopping. I live on West Landing Drive and look forward to this development. Change is sometime hard to accept but this change will be to our benefit.
Amy says:
Two major hardware stores to serve the OBX, three major drug store chains, mmm, what else can we do to make it more like Anywhere, USA. Will they hire locals and give a decent wage? Or will they hire temps and give no benefits. If it has to be, can the city leverage this to be more beneficial to the workers?
Laura says:
Noooooooooo….. Please No………
Duke says:
I once had a client come to my office and ask what she could do to stop a Wings store from going up in NH. My answer was she had 2 options. First buy the property and then she could do with it as she pleased since in America as long as you are not affecting the use of others using their property for their enjoyment you are allowed to use yours for anything legal. The 2nd option was to get everyone to stop shopping there and if nobody went there any longer they would close and no further Wings stores would be built. Well I went by the Wings this weekend and they were packed. The same with Walmart and Home Depot. We can complain all we want but at some point everyone shops there. I still give my patronage to Kellogg’s Supply. They are a family run business, good to the community and their employees. Ace Hardware is another business run by a local family that I frequent. I occasionally do go to home depot but try not to if I can buy the items needed at a comparable price at my preferred dealer. Lowes has every right to open their store although I cannot understand why they would want to in this economy. It is the price we pay for the property rights we enjoy on our own homes.
Duke says:
I just remembered Russ’s story from May in OBX Voice. Maybe it is time to read it again.
http://outerbanksvoice.com/2010/05/23/tell-us-what-should-the-outer-banks-look-like/
Selena K says:
It sounds like another market-share power-grab like the “Wings/Reef/Sunsations war” and the “pharmacies war” we had several years back.
They’d better hire a LOT of locals, is all I hope, to at least make it a halfway win-win situation for our local economy.
PB says:
Lowe’s is coming unless they change their mind. They will be employing local labor for the construction as much as they can. After they are open, they will create 70 new jobs for locals. Some may oppose this, but the land is zoned for this use and if the Town decided we did not want a Lowe’s, we can not stop them as long as they meet all the Town requirements. This will be a smaller store with a more “Beach” look to blend in and will set farther from the street than other stores.
G says:
Good points Duke.
I use Ace (Nags Head) and Kellogg’s and my primary source of hardware and home improvement items.
I must admit though, the Kitty Hawk Home Depot is the nicest looking, and has the best customer service of any Home Depot I have ever shopped.
I think what we have here is a clash of visions. Some folks see the area as a quaint beach town with family owned rental cottages and businesses. Others see it more as an untapped commercial resource.
I fall into the former category, but I’m not fooling myself. The genie is out of the bottle, and has been for quite a while.
Gail says:
As undesirable as it sounds, it is still better than another Wings. The economic situation has hit our community very hard, so if we must have another chain, it at least needs to be one that will employ our local people so it can bring something really positive to the community. Maybe if they employ 70 people (as stated previously) that may be 70 families consisting of our friends and neighbors that might not need to make as many trips to the beach food pantry for food in order to help feed their family. I detest change, but we live in a time when living on the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina is VERY expensive and for a lot of us, if we want to continue living here, we need to bring in more jobs and, hopefully, Lowe’s will do that. My only prayer is that the town in all its infinite wisdom will have a few guidelines for Lowe’s, and instead of a big brick eyesore, they will at least force them to “cottage it up” just a little bit, which is what they should have done with some of these oversized houses we see on the beach road now.
The Taxpayer says:
I’m thrilled! I’ve wanted a Lowes on the OBX for years.
LeRoy Baisden says:
Lowes had the option to build on the land that Home Depot currently occupies and gave it up. Currently H D is packed and doing a great business leaving Lowes to lick their wounds. Lowes should really take their desire to infiltrate a small vacation area further down the coast line, perhaps to Ocracoke Island.
susan gard says:
NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MAGGI says:
Please????? Do we REALLY need a Lowes here???? Lets put a few more of the local busisness out of business with the “big corporations” why don’t we. Wasn’t Home Depot enough? When do we stand up and say NO? Manteo did!! Send them to Currituck!
Shelly says:
Change is good, and hopefully it will bring much needed jobs to the Outer Banks, and tax breaks are good too. Hopefully they will hire locals as I think Home Depot does as well. The reality is that big box is here and yes it will push out mom and pop, but that is the circle of life! I admit, I shop where I get the best price, and that is that!
G says:
I’ve heard about how bad the local economy is. Yet, the crowds and traffic are as heavy as I’ve ever seen in my 20+ years visiting.
Not making light of the situation, just trying to understand.
KHer says:
We shouldn’t say “No changes!” unless we’re willing to sell our properties, bulldoze our homes and move back to wherever we came from. The only reason these changes happen is because we’re here.
So bring it on Lowes. Competition is a good thing. But I still will frequent Ace as much as possible.
Carolyn says:
If KDH wants big businesses and likes to consider itself the “downtown” of the Outer Banks, then give taxpayers amenities such as sidewalks. And reduce the speed limit to a safer one for a business district.
Unfortunately, the door is open for any large business to move in so it is too late to save the uniqueness that we had. It makes me question why folks moved here – so it could be like the places they left?!!
Frank, what is wrong with strip shopping centers where shop owners can create one of a kind stores and provide hometown friendliness?
Gail Warner says:
Doesn’t the planning board realize they’re killing our island?? NO More Chain Stores!!
Tom says:
They must have an interesting business model that approves making a large investment in facilities and inventory in a realtively small market area already served by many options. This can only weaken other businesses, especially those locally owned.
wishing says:
if they want to put in a Lowe’s well that’s fine and dandy. But please please please hire locally and do right by all of us. I know the beaches are packed and you’d never know the economy was in a slump but there are still many of us drowning around here. We are struggling to keep it together and get our bills paid and make ends meet. By the time we get paid and pay our bills we’re left with $20 to last us 2 weeks. Some people living here may be well off and could care less, but as a person born and raised here I’m still trying to find a job that is willing to pay more than $7 an hour and provides health benefits. We can’t survive on $7 an hour. Heck with the prices around here $13 an hour is hard to make it. Take care of the locals and give us jobs that are year round so we can make it.
Maryruth says:
Here’s all this discussion about real jobs for the local population once the store opens. It will be very interesting to see how many real jobs for the local citizens are created during construction of the store.
DP says:
The question is not about what “we” want. I submit no one commenting owned the land sold to Lowes…but the family that did is legendary on the OBX and entitled to sell it for the uses it is zoned for. All the “NOOOOO” people can get together and buy the land and put it into conservation. You can do that…could have done it years ago while it sat vacant. Otherwise you have no gripe and you can choose not to patronize the store. You can say “no” that way. No need to beat up Lowes or the town or anybody else. Free enterprise is one of the foundations of this country. So far this year, GM has sold more cars in China then it sold right here in the USA. And we got people here flogging themselves about a hardware store? Try North Korea…my friends…I feel fairly certain you won’t find one there. And you won’t find bread or meat or milk either. Unbelievable!
Frank says:
Carolyn the biggest problem with strip shopping centers is that many stores which set up shop do not survive and the spaces stand empty for long periods of time until another one-of-a-kind store opens up just to shutter later.
I love one-of-a-kind crafty stores. Before I retired in 2007, in addition to my “real job” as an engineer I made my hobby of making and repairing furniture and designing and producing crafty items a part-time job, in a strip shopping center in Great Bridge in Chesapeake. Didn’t last; not enough foot traffic or interest for the real deal. I still do jobs for friends at no charge in my woodshop. I have recently gotten into power carving birds but have not tested the waters on that yet.
The point I am making is that I have no problem with this type of store. I wish every one of them success, I wished myself success, but the cards are stacked against them. The consumer buys cheap “stuff” made overseas rather than investing in honest-to-goodness one-of-a-kind creations which take time and skill and many are not willing to pay for the quality of the product. I don’t have an answer on how to go about marketing honest-to-goodness one-of-a-kind creations.
Hometown friendliness doesn’t come from only a locally owned store; it comes from the people who staff whatever store it is and that can be a Lowe’s or a mom and pop store. It is the people that make the store not the store that makes the people.
I agree with your observation and wish for the “downtown” of the Outer Banks and wish us all good luck on that one.
I beleive we are on the same side of the coin on these issues!
John says:
Unfortunately, demonizing progress and prosperity is being encouraged by our govt, but without it the vast majority of us would not exist on the Outer Banks.
Da says:
I am a conservative man and I am happy about the lowes and you should too. It breaks up the monoply on the beach. More competition, means lower prices. Everything is to expensive here. Need more food stores!!
Carolyn JO says:
We welcome Lowes with open arms! With all of the traffic generated by the Tourist Bureau one can hardly get to MP 1 and Home Depot. It will be great to have Lowes at this MP 7 (?) I wish there was an entrance/exit onto First Street. Wake up folks, we are a tourist Mecca almost as bad as Myrtle Beach with a Wings in every block!
Barry Brown says:
I have been a manager all my life and I would like to talk with you about a potential job. Thank You
James B. Andrews says:
I presume there will be no tax incentives to bring them here. They will pay the same as everyone else. They will store box-car loads of treated lumber. They will store tens of thousands of pounds of fertilizer, pesticides,lawn & garden chemicals, insecticides and so forth in the open in their garden center. 400 cars and their associated parking lot run-off. Tractor trailers coming & going night & day. Transients in the parking lot? Poor and unemployed and homeless people milling about. So much more. Half million dollar homes within blocks, and 1.5 million dollar homes on the ocean front within blocks. I must add my NOOOOOOOOOOOO!
bubba says:
Lowe’s attracts poor homeless people to mill about their parking lot?
Fact is this is America and if a property is zoned for commercial then the local government has no business deciding what business gets the property and what business does not.
Bring on the Lowes. Then local homeowners won’t have to fight the crazy traffic on Saturdays to get to Home Depot and back so we can work around our home on our day off.
Diane says:
It is sad to see so little beauty in KDH. Now there will
be a even less. The bypass is shoulder to shoulder
retail. KDH loves those tax dollars. Lowes will aid those needing employment and perhaps have lower prices, but I will
continue to support Kelloggs and Ace too. Their stores
still have a local small town eye appeal. Thank you!
Ananias says:
I need a job. I hope they come soon and I can work there.
290ykk says:
I’m glad it’s coming. Lessens the trek to HD.
David F Henderson says:
Please contact your representatives if you are concerned with the proposed Lowe’s on Landing. If they know the community has an opinion there is a chance they will consider not approving Lowe’s.
Planning board Harriet Bonner – harriet@kdhnc.com
Commisioners
Mayor Raymond Sturza – ray@kdhnc.com
Mayor pro-temp Robert Woodard – bob@kdhnc.com
Commisioner Paul Buske – paul@kdhnc.com
Commisioner Jeff Finch – 480-6633
Commisioner Bob Peele – bpeele@kdhnc.com
Erik says:
Yes. How dare someone be able to buy and use property for commercial use when it is zoned commercial. When you buy property next to a plot that is commercial these are the risks you take.
I once had property next to a field zoned commercial. Walmart had an option on it. I knew it was commercial when I bought and would never have complained if Walmart had followed through. Don’t want this to happen? Buy a lot that is nowhere near a commercial property.
Lowe’s is a quality company that will provide jobs with fantastic benefits (401k, profit sharing, medical, & stock plan) . . . But, hey, I guess everyone in the area should be forced to work at a gift shop without benefits.
This will be fantastic for KDH and the area.
Concerned says:
Those of you who think this is great are missing a huge point. There is no incremental business to be gained. Lowes will grow at the expense of other local businesses. It will not drive down prices, as Home Depot has already done that. Since there is no growth, it will not create jobs. It will shift higher paying full-time jobs from companies such as Kelloggs, Griggs, and Guy C Lee to more low paying part-time jobs. How is this good? I’m not against Lowes or big boxes. I would just like to see us encourage development with businesses that will create real growth or to force improvement in places like K-Mart and Walmart . . .
Bob Samuels says:
Good luck with the benefits for all of the “70 employees”; they will most likely follow the Wal-Mart philosophy and be given mostly to the managerial positions that are imported from other Lowes in the region leaving most of the part-time employees to “meet ends meat” on their hourly wage.
Government does have a huge role to play in zoning and what gets built where. As citizens and constituents of the town council members, it’s up to us to let them know exactly how we feel about their decisions and pending decisions. If they don’t listen to our concerns then we elect them out of office next time around. During economic downturns, like the one we’re in, governments get desperate for tax dollars/revenue. Sometimes this is done at the expense of the general public, especially when we don’t voice our concerns. An earlier writer pointed out, the citizens of Manteo successfully faught against “big-box” stores, so why can’t the citizens of KDH and others.
With that said, I too, have concerns about the destruction of one our last remaining “open-spaces of vegetation” along the by-pass and would like to raise a few questions:
If built, will KDH require 1. Lowes to deal with parking lot run-off; 2. landscape adequately (shade trees and native species of grasses and shrubs); and 3. have adequate sidewalks on the perimeters of the property?
JB RARE says:
I like lowes also. However, I did notice the article said fresh pond was not allowed because of the run-off. Nags head turned down a commercial approval, and that is OK. I guess it is OK for LOWE’s to flush their waste on Kill Devil Hills.
Erik says:
On Walmart style benefits: No, wrong, and do some research. Here is what all regular employees of Lowe’s get: https://careers.lowes.com/benefits.aspx
The majority of employees in a Lowe’s are full time. Oh and if you are part-time: https://careers.lowes.com/benefits_part.aspx. Wow, paid vacation and holidays.
On managers: Yes. Lowe’s promotes from within. This means the first round of managers will be from other Lowe’s stores. I know someone who started as a cashier. Three months later they were a head cashier. Five years later they were a store manager. This person was at the first or second level of management within the store they started at.
It’ll be great to NOT have to drive to Elizabeth City.
vanative says:
…i agree with raving resident…is all of the natural state of the outer banks going to be gone before anyone wakes up…i know about jobs,tax base, and such…everyone always talks about not wanting to become va beach or myrtle beach…in a way it is already there………..
David F Henderson says:
Tuesday Augest 17 is the planning board meeting. If you want to make an impact come out to show that we care. Also contact the planning board and our commissioners to let them know you care. They do listen.
The following is a list of reasons why I believe this business is a bad fit for this parcel.
- Property values for the homeowners in First Flight village will no doubt be affected by this large chain store. Particularly those residents of Porthole Court and West Landing Drive.
- Light and noise pollution will directly affect the residents on every side of this store. Especially those of Porthole Court, West Landing Drive, and the eastern part of Canal Drive which would be right behind the store.
- The Wright brothers Memorial is a national historical landmark that we as a community should treasure and preserve with respect. A large chain store right next to it and directly in view from the scenic overlook at the top of the hill seems shameful.
- Large buildings and chain type businesses take away from the landscape of our community and once we allow them in it is too late to preserve our Outer Banks look.
- Large corporations are pushing out local businesses that cannot compete with Lowe’s buying power. Local businesses provide long term sustainability for our community. Most only hire a few people at forty hours per week and keep their lower level employees at part time to avoid providing benefits.
- Storm water runoff will also affect the residents of First Flight Village. The Canal that runs through the backyard of property owners on Canal Drive and Ketch Lane already carries the runoff from the community. Additional runoff from a large paved parking lot would add a large amount of storm water to the canal which would in turn leave the neighborhood more susceptible to flooding during big storms. Runoff from a large parking lot will also add allot more pollutants to the canal including that from treated lumber storage containing harmful chemicals.
- Traffic issues will cause problems for First Flight residents as well as bypass travelers. An additional stop light in close proximity to the ones already at First Street and also at Prospect. Additional accidents would be probable from having a Lowe’s at this location.
- Reconfiguring Landing Drive would also be a problem to First Flight residents.
FW says:
Has anyone analyzed the true bottom line to our local economy!
Existing employees lost (Briggs, Ace, garden shops etc.)
The total number of people employed Lowe’s new vs. locals lost!
Total sales tax revenue Lowe’s gain vs, locals lost!
Future abandoned local businesses .. equates to lost tax income!
Will there really be a gain .. I doubt it!
Close your eyes your on the Outer Banks
..open them your back home!
Why come here!
Bill Holt says:
I have read carefully all of the input shared above, so far. Many things come to mind. A lot of points taken in context are true. The Town does have a Big Stick when it comes to swinging cooperation from Lowe’s in this situation. Kitty Hawk used theirs significantly to the community’s benefit. Hence they quickly became a community part – through use of a big stick. They contributed, to many things when asked and continue their community support.
Kill Devil Hills certainly is known for swinging its stick the ‘way they want’ or are lead. The Planning Department certainly has time ‘NOW’ to give it effective focus. Given their miscellaneous approach in recent years, depending on which hot button someone has fired up…, they need effective guidance to manage this one!!! Many a private “quote quote” unofficial meeting has taken place to bring this proposed project to this point. In this man’s not so humble view… the Town powers do need serious input and guidance to bring about a working solution that benefits the community and manages concerns that most have (the valid ones… not so much the NIMBY’s – not in my back yard folks) if you will.
Surface and ‘run off’ water control (irrigation and on-site management, recycling some for the gardening and toilet facilities?) is one key. A sufficient buffer to adjacent residential and arrival and delivery restriction hours are a good start. The design to fit the community certainly in that size building is critical. Low-level lighting requirements and particularly timed to accommodate the neighboring region and certainly conservation… and signage (kind of a Hilton Head Island approach maybe?)
Traffic control is critical, and my understanding is an ingress and egress (in-from the north / out- to the south) will certainly cover some, but not, all traffic. A light at Landing is inevitable.
A commitment from your representatives at the Town and to press them is vital. When they are asking for lot coverage over code and parking WAY under present code – THAT – my friends is a BIG stick.
But the community has to voice at the meeting. For people to obtain jobs… they must pass the testing – something that 450 out of 600 failed at Home Depot when they began hiring. Yea… many of you know what I mean. As was said… a management team will likely have to come here initially from outside. Corporate world – for those who relocated here from other worlds… think you know that.
You cannot stop someone from obtaining their due when they are ready to move on… hence, commercial is commercial – a use by right – if codes are met. Can hate the Coastland Times family for their choice… hell we have the “Outer Banks Voice now!!!!!
How many of us would have been published in that or the Sentinel? Keep your thoughts coming right up till meeting time where you NEED to BE to give them to the town!!!
Encourage your Mayor (Yes You Ray!) and the other Officials to give their best, listen to valid concerns and implement a good plan with the community good in mind… Not just Lowes and the Tax Collector!!!
Your jobs are at hand… give your Voice here, at the town and to the officails, privately and publically in an appropriate manner! Your input is welcome and should be… AND
Remember… YOu got to openly speak your voice here for all to read… go on… go to the Town and speak as well!!
Bill Holt says:
BTW, Thank you – The Outer Banks Voice – We Love Your Open Forum!
Virginia Tadrzynski says:
Up here in PA, whenever a Lowes goes in, lo and behold, a Walmart is soon to follow in the same developement. I think they have a devil’s agreement….one breaks down the zoning and the other rides the coat-tails in.
Russ Lay says:
@Virginia–I suspect there are two parts to those stories. It is true that if zoning is tight it takes one big box store to succeed in order to allow others in. More importantly however is that all of these chains are driven by growth and growth comes from new stores as older ones mature or even decline. These companies use a lot of demographic data to choose new locations, so its a sure bet if one of them had found a new location, its competitors are also discovering the same thing. In big towns this is not much of a problem. In small areas, like ours, a problem can occur if too many of them come to the same conclusion, build their stores and discover the market can’t support that much retail space. Then you get vacant big boxes.
Quantum Mechanic says:
Glad it’s coming. Wish it were further south, but it will help.
charlie says:
Hey. Let’s hold off on any building on the land bought up by Ngs Head and the Tourism Bureau. If Lowes or HD packs it in and scampers way because the sales are not there they’ll leave a building that can seat even more than a thousand or two. They’ll fork over the building for a song. Now that’s progress.
CQ says:
Born,raised and still currently living in KDH,right off of First Street. I believe it’s a bad idea. It isn’t going to create a ton of new jobs or drop prices. Has Foodlion dropped theirs or hired more locals because we now have several Harris Teeters? Or how about the chain restaurants and Wings? It’s going to be another eyesore. Our uniqueness is almost gone. Can we please stop destroying what so many of you moved here for and why so many still visit. I thought that’s why people moved here because we weren’t like everyplace else and everybody was trying to get away from the rat race. How many more chains do we need? Seriously people. Turning us into Va Beach or Myrtle Beach isn’t going to keep our visitors coming here…it’s just another nail in our coffin.