Black residents reject Trader Joe’s because it would attract too many white people

BizPac Review ^ | February 8, 2014 | Cheryl Carpenter Klimek

[2ndDivisionVet]

The Trader Joe’s grocery chain has withdrawn plans to build a store in the heart of a predominantly black neighborhood after a black leadership group fought the move.

The Portland Development Commission was set to give the grocer a large discount on property that had been vacant for years, pricing it at just over $500,000, down from an appraised value of $2.9 million, according to The Oregonian.

The Portland African American Leadership Forum sent a scathing letter in December to city leaders, saying the plan would price residents out of the area and the group“remains opposed to any development in North/Northeast Portland that does not primarily benefit the black community.”

Trader Joe’s would increase displacement of low-income residents and “increase the desirability of the neighborhood,” for “non-oppressed populations,” PAALF wrote.

“[This decision] reflects the city’s overall track record of implementing policies that serve to uproot, displace and disempower our most vulnerable community members,” the letter said.

Trader Joe’s bowed out amid the controversy.

“We run neighborhood stores, and our approach is simple: If a neighborhood does not want a Trader Joe’s, we understand, and we won’t open the store in question,” a company spokesperson said in a statement to The Oregonian.

But not everyone is happy about the outcome.

“There are no winners today,” Adam Milne, owner of Old Town Brewing Co., told The Oregonian. “Only missed tax revenue, lost jobs, less foot traffic, an empty lot and a boulevard still struggling to support its local small businesses.”

[Always A Marine]

In addition to evil white shoppers, a Trader Joe’s store would bring JOBS to the neighborhood. “Ain’t nobody got time for that! Sheee!”

[Fungi]

Such as someone in a white house?

[ConservativeStatement]

[bigheadfred]

I shed no tears for the so-called "food deserts".

that doesnt matter

just shed those tax dollars

[max americana]

It’s all over the place here in L.A but I only go there for the wine and booze selection. The too many whites’ isn’t exact as the whites I know of go who go there are stupid white libs so homey here has a point..

[GOPJ]

Trader Joe’s doesn't have the wit to understand ‘community leaders’ in black communities represent themselves. They don't represent hard working members of the black community or people trying to stretch a dollar.

The true test of knowing you're welcomed in a community is by counting the shoppers who walk through your door.

That's what Walmart learned. The ‘leaders’ didn't want them - but the people who lived around their stores loved getting good value for their dollars.

Trader Joe's is PC Stupid.

[tennmountainman]

I’m guessing the race baiters had their hands out.
And when Trader Joe did not want to pay,
the race baiters pulled the race card.

[ConservaTexan]

I would think importing wealthy victims would appeal to race hustlers.

[Beowulf9]

Portlandia.

[gaijin]

**ACCUSING** TJ’s of enhancing the desirability of the neighborhood.

TJ’s would be GUILTY of making the neighborhood nicer.

That’s sorta like smart black kids (who are often beat up) being GUILTY of scoring well on tests.

VERY TELLING.

[DBrow]

Michelle Obama should study this to learn why there are “food deserts”.

[Ouchthatonehurt]

“increase the desirability of the neighborhood,” for “non-oppressed populations,” PAALF wrote.

...speechless.

[chiefqc]

The empty lot make more sense than a place for area people to shop and jobs for their area.

Yea The Portland African American Leadership Forum made the right decision, empty lot vs store and jobs and the winner is empty lot.

[piytar]

Yup. If Trader Joes refused to put a store there, it would because they were racist. Now by trying to, they are racist.

And who loses? The people who buy into this idiocy. But I no longer have any empathy for them.

[DBrow]

“Minority group leaders have a stake in keeping their community disaffected, miserable and under-served.”

A corollary of Alinsky’s approach. You cannot control happy, contented people.

[TChad]

Long ago, in NE Portland, Oregon I lived in the same house as my landlord and his girlfriend. He was a young white guy, not much money. He was trying to make a living by buying one cheap house after another, fixing it up, and selling it. He bought what he considered to be a bargain house in the nearby black community. He worked on it for a couple of months. When he arrived one morning, his house had been burned to the ground. It was definitely arson, and based on conversations he had with people in that community he had little doubt of the motive. He was a white man in a black neighborhood.

I don't know if he ever recovered financially.

What sane white person would want to invest in such a community?

[VerySadAmerican]

They want to stay segregated.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Is Jessee Jackson going to show up and decry this blatant racism?

[Secret Agent Man]

i had to check the source for fake news.

[ScottinVA]

Aren’t community agitators just priceless. Instead of welcoming in a business that would hire locals and bring in traffic for other businesses, these assholes want to maintain the blighted status quo, which keeps their power intact.