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Loop Chained

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Joe Edwards, who opened his legendary Blueberry Hill in 1972 and is widely credited with revitalizing Delmar's struggling retail sector, says he's happy the issue of finding the right balance of formula outlets and independents has resurfaced.

"I think this dialogue has energized people," says Edwards, who chairs the Loop Special Business District. "Everyone wants to keep the unique flavor of the Loop." As far as the subject of capping is concerned, Edwards is diplomatically vague. "That's just one set of ideas," he says. "Chains are not inherently bad, but maybe in the Loop you need to have smaller unique chains."

Earlier this month Liberto's proposed ordinance was circulated to property owners. The reaction was largely negative. "I understand their concerns, but they [merchants] are not going to tell us who we can or cannot rent to," says one building owner who asked not to be named in print.

This past Friday afternoon merchants and landlords gathered for a two-hour meeting at Blueberry Hill. Liberto reports that owners were in full agreement that the Loop remain a thriving destination point but were wary of setting a precise cap on chains.

"There was, though, a consensus that if a chain store in going to come here, it ought to be something different than its other stores," says Liberto. "But what they really don't want is to get government involved."

Julie Feier, city manager for University City, says that's fine with her. "I know this is a critical policy issue, and I think everyone will be best served if they can hash it out themselves. We're not going to come in and say, 'We will regulate you.'"

Councilman Wagner agrees. "We're going to be listening to what the owners and merchants come up with. We're certainly not going to do anything radical."

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