Protest in front of Target during grand opening. Screen capture from CBS8.
Opposition to the new Target on Newport Avenue in Ocean Beach has rekindled and activists have shifted gears in their approach to the behemoth retail magnet opening its doors in one of the most anti-corporate neighborhoods in San Diego.
After a slumber of over a year, the anti-Target campaign has jumped back onto the streets of OB with the main focus now of building support for local independent businesses and to prevent “further corporate takeover”.
A demonstration is being planned for this Sunday July 28th, in fact, by the activists who are asking fellow OBceans to come out at noon and show their support of our local merchants. It will be in front of the Target, at 4864 Newport Ave. Organizers are asking people to make signs for some of their favorite local businesses.
About a dozen people showed up at Target’s opening last Sunday with the message of “protect our community” and “shop local.”
The campaign has also come up with a list of alternative local merchants to many products Target carries (see below).
Here is the text from the opposition campaign’s flyer:
Great Reasons to Buy from Local Independent Businesses
- Builds Community! The casual encounters you enjoy at local independent businesses builds relationships and community cohesiveness.
- Strengthens the Local Economy! Each dollar you spend at independent businesses returns 3 times more money to our local economy than one spent at a corporate chain.
- Shapes our Community Character! Local Ocean Beach Independent Businesses help give our community its distinct personality.
- Creates a Healthier Environment! Independent Businesses are people-sized. They typically consume less land, carry more locally-made products, create less traffic and air pollution.
- Create Jobs and Opportunities! Not only does independent businesses employ more people directly per dollar of revenue, they also are the customers of local printers, accountants, wholesalers, farms, attorneys, etc…. expanding opportunities for local Entrepreneurs.
- Local Independent Businesses support our City Adopted Ocean Beach Community Plan by preserving the Community character; promoting a pedestrian friendly commercial district; -supporting local business-growth
Be a good neighbor and shop local first.
Here’s the helpful guide:
Here also is part of the message:
Join Together to Voice Community Support for Our Local Independent Businesses – We Need to Work Together to Protect Our Community from Further Corporate Takeover!
Show our Love of Local Sunday July 28th 12 pm at Corporate Target location on 4864 Newport Ave.
Bring your Family, your Friends, Signs, and Smiles :-)
Sign ideas: Our focus is supporting our local merchants.
shop local
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you for sharing this story. I love the character of OB and do all that I can to support local independent businesses! I am a veteran and shop the online Exchange for those items I can’t buy from local independent businesses such as toiletries and cleaning supplies. Proceeds from these purchases support quality of life programs for folks currently serving and their families.
It was so nice to get a box of cereal at OB Target for $2.50 instead of paying $5.99 at the store down the street. The same product for 1/2 the price will get me to cross a picket line because I’m on a budget.
Join us again this Sunday, July 28th at noon to support our local businesses and gently remind Target shoppers why they should support local. Plus it’s fun and you will be inspired on how many people still love OB