Community Organizers Chase Trader Joe's Out of Portlandia

Ricochet ^ | Feb. 4, 2014 | Jon Gabriel

[inkling]

Trader Joe’s wanted to build a new store in Portland, Oregon. Instead of heading to a tony neighborhood downtown or towards the suburbs, the popular West Coast grocer chose a struggling area of Northeast Portland.

The company selected two acres along Martin Luther King Blvd. that had been vacant for decades. It seemed like the perfect place to create jobs, improve customer options and beautify the neighborhood. City officials, the business community, and residents all seemed thrilled with the plan. Then some community organizers caught wind of it.

The fact that most members of the Portland African-American Leadership Forum didn’t live in the neighborhood was beside the point. “This is a people’s movement for African-Americans and other communities, for self-determination,” member Avel Gordly said in a press conference. Even the NAACP piled on, railing against the project as a “case study in gentrification.” (The area is about 25 percent African-American.)

After a few months of racially tinged accusations and angry demands, Trader Joe’s decided it wasn’t worth the hassle. “We run neighborhood stores and our approach is simple,” a corporate statement said. “If a neighborhood does not want a Trader Joe's, we understand, and we won't open the store in question.”...

[Fireone]

This is very simple, and I see their logic....a new store in the hood represents jobs. A vacant lot represents mo’ free sh^t. “We don’t need no stinkin jobs!”

[Stand Watch Listen]

“….Portland African-American Leadership Forum didn’t live in the neighborhood was beside the point. “………

Hours after Trader Joe’s pulled out, PAALF leaders arrived at a previously scheduled press conference trying to process what just happened. The group re-issued demands that the now-cancelled development include affordable housing, mandated jobs based on race, and a small-business slush fund. Instead, the only demand being met is two fallow acres and a lot of anger from the people who actually live nearby……..

Like many residents, Tran pins the blame on PAALF. “They don’t come to the neighborhood cleanups,” he said. “They don’t live here anymore.”……..

The store was to be built by a local African American-owned construction company …….

But have no fear, Portland. You might not have a new Trader Joe’s, but PAALF promised to hold a “community visioning process” later this month. No word yet if that brainstorming session will offer jobs, affordable housing or Two-Buck Chuck.

It was just a simple shake down by 'outside' agitators err... community organizers. Anyone want to venture an educated guess as to who would be in control of the aforementioned "small business slush fund"?

PAALF, by its protests/demands, summarily denied a "local African American-owned construction company " jobs/growth/profit/ possibly even affecting survival.

Seems some animals are more equal than others.

[daniel1212]

Apparently, the community leaders, acting out their victim entitlement mentality, demanded of a private business things which they normally would of government. But to no avail. Thus such support socialism.