Now that REI has opened its store (Herald, Aug. 24), I wanted to offer a different perspective than what has been represented in the Herald’s coverage of this issue, especially the editorial, “Our view: Good neighbors,” (Herald, July 27) because it attributed some thoughts to me.
First, to be clear and to set the record straight, “coopetition” among local breweries is not analogous to REI opening a store here. The corporation can buy products in mass quantities and offer them at a lower price, often way lower at one of its many “sales” throughout the year. This will ultimately impact our local outdoor stores as they try to compete for customers.
Second, not all competition is good. As in this case. Our town is a rather close-knit community made up of many local businesses and has long been a haven for those who value outdoor adventure and a strong sense of community. We should be doing everything we can to support that. REI opening a store here definitely threatens the character that brought many of us here and why many of us have decided to stay here, raise our families here and make Durango home.
I think it would be foolish to overlook or discount the likely impact this will have on our local outdoor businesses that have provided outdoor gear to locals and visitors for decades. At first glance, REI’s arrival may seem like an exciting prospect for Durango, but the long-term impacts will likely be detrimental to the local businesses that will struggle to compete with the deep pockets, marketing power and corporate infrastructure of a giant like REI.
Is this yet another erosion of local character? One only has to take a walk on south Second Avenue to see the mega-hotel. Durango’s charm lies in its independent spirit. From locally owned outdoor gear shops like Durango Outdoor Exchange, to Pine Needle Mountaineering and Backcountry Experience, Four Corners River Sports and Second Ave Sports, The Boarding Haus and the Ski Barn to local breweries and clothing stores, the town has cultivated a distinctive vibe that draws tourists and residents alike. The small-business owners here understand their customers’ needs because they are part of the community, living alongside them, working with them and supporting them.
In contrast, REI’s corporate model is based on mass production and large-scale retail. Its arrival will likely chip away at the town’s uniqueness as it saturates the market with its generic branding and broad product offerings. REI, as a large corporate retailer headquartered in Seattle, simply cannot replicate the type of community engagement that our local independent businesses bring.
Local shops are already operating on slim margins, and competition with an industry giant like REI could have catastrophic effects. REI has vast financial resources at its disposal, allowing it to offer discounts and promotions that smaller businesses can’t match. The chain’s ability to buy in bulk, combined with its massive advertising budget, gives it a competitive edge that is difficult for local retailers to overcome.
I, along with many of my friends in the community, recognize we can’t unring the bell here. However, what we can do is support our local independent outdoor stores and businesses. We have been living in a world of online retail for years and that is not going away. Our local stores have been able to navigate that for the most part despite the online retail’s rapid growth and I hope they can weather this as well. So, next time you need to purchase some outdoor gear, try our local outdoor stores first. The money spent at our local establishments helps ensure we retain the unique character of our town and helps maintain a vibrant local economy.
Our community continues to rapidly evolve like most Western communities that are surrounded by federal public lands and endless opportunities for outdoor adventures. Change is inevitable but it doesn’t have to wipe out the heart and soul of the community. If you have been downtown on Noel night, you know how much this community cares about our local businesses. For now, I stand in support of our local businesses and my friends who own these local businesses, and I hope you will too.
Jeremy Garncarz has lived in Durango for almost 20 years and has spent the last 25 years advocating for public lands, people and communities working to create vibrant sustainable economies.
