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West Hollywood Decides Not To Limit Chain Stores After All
West Hollywood Trader Joe's (Photo by catfuzz via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr)
Okay, never mind, West Hollywood is not going to limit chain stores in the neighborhood. The proposal to limit the number of new chains that could open in West Hollywood has been tabled, WEHOville reports. City Council members John Duran and Lauren Meister had come up with the suggestion, saying that locally-owned businesses made for more unique neighborhoods and did a better job of bolstering the local economy as they tend to source their merchandise from nearby. However, the idea wasn't met with much support.
The Chamber of Commerce was opposed, saying it would threaten businesses Weho folks enjoy: Equinox, Trader Joes and Coffee Bean, to name a few. Plus, Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Genevieve Morrill noted that chains are job creators that often offer items at a lower cost, which is important for many residents.
Meister ended up withdrawing the proposal from the City Council's agenda. Duran voiced his approval of this decision, saying he would have voted 'no' on it. "We heard from a lot of voices across the community, and it caused me to rethink this issue," he said.
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