It can often be difficult for responsible consumers to think of retail chains as anything other than evil, monolithic entities. But a new annual competition sponsored in part by the
Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC) is proving that some chain retailers are in fact among the most responsible members of their respective communities. And although a wide range of chains throughout the country were nominated for the contest, known as
Best Chain on Main, a number of Philadelphia-based companies ended up practically sweeping the awards.
The purpose of the competition was to recognize those chains whose very presence assists commercial revitalization. As
LISC MetroEdge Director Jake Cowan points out, "If you want to bring new business into a neighborhood, that starts with the storefronts themselves looking good, and looking healthy." According to
Larisa Ortiz, a commercial district planner who helped organize the contest, the winners were also partially chosen "based on their investment in underserved urban markets."
Indeed, the Philadelphia-based apparel company
Villa, which took home this year's top prize, is probably best known among retail insiders for its incredibly strong commitment to the low- and moderate-income communities where its 26 stores are located. "One of the reasons (Villa) won, in fact, is that they partner with the local community development corporations," says Cowan. "They hire almost exclusively from the community, and they sponsor things like clean-up days."
Also representing Philadelphia was the contest's third place winner,
The Fresh Grocer, and
Mugshots Coffee House and Cafe, which received an honorable mention.
"Chains have a large presence on our corridors, and (companies with) more than one store can have a greater impact in terms of helping with commercial revitalization," explains Cowan, when asked why the contest focused exclusively on chains. "The goal was to lift up the chains that are doing good work."
Source: Jake Cowan, LISC MetroEdge
Writer: Dan Eldridge
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