The Little Village That Wouldn't

[baldguy]

East Aurora has maintained its quaint ambience by telling big-box stores to stay out of town - and making it stick

Wal-Mart went up against East Aurora twice and lost both times.

Wegmans wanted to give the community its best. The village helped give it the boot.

And this summer, village leaders drove out restaurant drive-throughs.
Is it any wonder that East Aurora is the community where developers fear to tread? East Aurora's get-tough stance on development, its vigorous and successful opposition to keeping out "big box retailers" like Wal-Mart and a healthy sense of community are key factors in retaining its atmosphere of a bygone era boasting small-town charm and a vibrant business district.



Village Trustee Elizabeth Cheteny wants East Aurora to be a model for other
communities seeking to preserve their small-town identity.

More:
http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20050926/1037500.asp

[Eric J in MN]

1. I wish we had more of those policies in Minnesota.

I see the same chains throughout the Twin Cities area.

[Not Me]

2. It's the next town over from where I grew up...

and lest you think they are backward, head-in-the sand types, that's not the case. It's a very progressive place that sees the value of maintaining a vital town centre.
The 5&10 store (Vidler's) in the photo (red sign over the fron door) has been in the same family for over 100 years. People from all over know the store and their reputation. It's just that kind of place: superb schools, well maintained homes, quiet low crime area... all just 20 miles from Buffalo.