[Idaho gal]

I watched too, what Mr. Vickers did with his "mexican store". When it opened, I didn't think it would go. However, in my town we actually now have TWO mexican stores. I know for a fact that the bigger one brings in thousands in income. I'm not quite sure if the owner has a "side business" or not, but I know he does a lot of store front business and check cashing. I know this because I opened a small insurance office in the front of his store. I have since moved into a larger office and retained my hispanic customer base.

One big problem with expanding the business base in the Pocatello area is the large Indian Reservation which surrounds Pocatello. I believe in the past several years, the tribe has become so politically active (almost to the point of militant) and doesn't set well with those who are trying to establish any type of new business in Pocatello. I honestly think that is a big reason why a lot of the new business is headed to Idaho Falls. I see IF as a more progressive city, where Pocatello to me is stagnant, with a mayor who is trying with all his might to establish a legacy for himself. (JMO)

I do think that if you have your own business you can survive, but not on the low wages offered in the area.

[Myrddin]

My wife is a dispatcher for Chubbuck PD. We were amazed to see some of the "unique" behavior of the native Americans around here. Spitting on police officers is something we never saw in San Diego. There is a big gang problem on the reservation. Nearly 300 gang members who idolize the Los Angeles street gangs. The prohibition of alcohol on the reservation brings lots of "natives" to town to drink at the bars. Many forget that they need a legal ID drivers license to drive off the reservation. It's clearly not an attractive attribute of the locale.

IF is not as business friendly as Ammon. As such, you see lots of new business going up in Ammon. Walmart moved. The vacated store was razed and replaced with a Lowe's. Now Pocatello has a Lowe's as well and many IF employees were anxious to transfer to the new Pocatello store. The IF city council is "progressive" alright. Tax and spend "progressive". Socialist "progressive". The have repeatedly tried to build "public" facilities with taxpayer funds that directly compete with existing private business in the city limits. The proposed "public" facilities would offer the same services at prices lower than the private business by using taxpayer subsidies. That is just plain criminal.

The Pocatello political machine leaves much to be desired too. Many small business people refused to "play ball" with various city officials. The city responded by harassing them out of business with endless visits from the building inspectors and fire marshall. Absent Neal Larson to poke at the dragon M-F on KWIK, the city council continues its screwy practices without much public scrutiny.

The "Mundo Latino" property is already offered for lease. Getting the western outlet store out of that property probably reduced the competition for the main Vickers store. No point in poaching customers from your own facility.