In 1996, Buffalo, N.Y., developer Myron Hunt told the community of Middlebury that it needed a third large grocery store. In early June of that year, the New York Times quoted a young woman at a meeting in Middlebury as saying directly to the developer, “We don’t need your grocery store. Why don’t you take your grocery store somewhere else?” The article went on to capture the fear expressed at that meeting that the town might “lose what makes it distinctive.” And now Mr. Hunt is back, telling us we need a Starbucks.

It is quite clear to me that I owe absolutely nothing to Myron Hunt; I do owe a great deal, however, to the likes of Jim Rubright and John Melanson and Greg Wry. They are individuals who have businesses which have continually given to the community. Hunt, on the other hand, will take the profits of his newest project to Buffalo with him, leaving our community having lost another piece of “what makes it distinctive.”

John Beattie
Salisbury

Regardless of how one feels about Starbucks coming to Middlebury, John Beattie’s characterization of developer Myron Hunt (Addison Independent, Sept. 13, 2007) is inaccurate. You’re a good man, John, but you’re wrong about Hunt.

The Hunt I know has had a special affection for this community since graduating from Middlebury College in the 1940s. To say we owe nothing to him is unfair. His properties generate substantial tax revenue for Middlebury and provide space for businesses that hire local people.

When I solicited him for a gift to the Town Hall Theater, he was more than generous; more, I’m afraid, then a number of developers who live locally. In the United Way of Addison County leadership report just out, I see him and his wife Nancy listed in the second highest grouping of contributors. I have a feeling that other local organizations have also benefited from his generosity.

So most of us don’t know Hunt. He lives somewhere else, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t part of him and part of his heart in this community.

Thomas Munschauer
Middlebury

We were dismayed to learn that Starbucks is coming to Middlebury and tempted to write about why Middlebury should try to prevent such a move. But Angelo Lynn’s recent editorial presents a more balanced approach — that all of us should use this opportunity to support our small town businesses in the face of competition from the corporate giants.

This is the time for us to check carefully our core beliefs about sustainability in the products we buy. Are you satisfied with a company that lists Fair Trade or Organic as one “flavor” on their board? Or will you seek out the business that takes on sustainability as a philosophy? If Fair Trade means anything, it means that anything else is Not Fair.

Fair Trade means a fair wage and treatment for workers. Organic means protection of the soil, water and workers from poisons and erosion. Shade-grown means preservation of arboreal eco-systems and migratory songbirds. Sustainability means leaving a system of production in as good condition as it was originally. Taking care of our local businesses is social sustainability at its finest. Look for the companies for whom sustainability is a philosophy. We are lucky here in Middlebury to have plenty of establishments serving coffee that has both great flavor and a conscience.

It is, of course, tempting to demonize the big-box companies and corporate entities that don’t pay attention to communities or people. But it’s up to us, consumers, to posit another way to do business. As Hopi elders once advised their community during a crisis moment, “We are the ones we have been waiting for.”

Bill Eichner and Julia Alvarez
Fundación Finca Altagracia
Weybridge

Vermont could pride itself on the fact that it has fewer Starbucks
stores than any other state in the country. These four stores are owned
by the Myron Hunt Corporation, and are located in largely populated
areas that are already subject to box store sprawl: Williston and
Burlington.

Now Myron Hunt, a Middlebury College alumnus, is proposing to build a
Starbucks Coffee shop on Route 7 south in Middlebury and is hoping to
begin site work before winter. Would this company hold the interests of
our local community as a priority? Consider this: Myron Hunt Inc. has
its headquarters near Buffalo and owns selected properties, mostly in
New York state, such as a Target store across from a new Super Wal-Mart
in what it describes as a “better income, fast growing, Syracuse
suburb.” Consider also that this is not the first time Middlebury area
citizens have spoken out against this company’s relentless development
plans.

In 1996, 350 people turned out for a public hearing by the Middlebury
Planning Commission and “took the microphone to tell Mr. Hunt civilly
but passionately that they did not need or want what he was selling…”
which was another supermarket and Rite Aid drugstore. (New York Times:
June 30, 1996.) As the article goes on to point out, “there is a
broader issue at play here than groceries and traffic. The dispute
turns on a powerful and pervasive fear that the town …is losing what
makes it distinctive.”

This time, the impact could be more severe, as Starbucks has the
potential to threaten the vitality of downtown businesses. The
Starbucks Corporation has its headquarters in Seattle, with 25,000
retail locations spreading into 30 countries throughout the world. Like
Wal-Mart and other giant chains, its growing presence is an indicator
of our global homogenization of culture that has a tendency to drive
out smaller, local businesses. We are talking about businesses that
serve free trade coffee and coffee from the Vermont Coffee Company in
Bristol. These businesses and cafes support local musicians, artists
and organizations, directly benefiting the community and promoting
sustainability.

It’s time to ask: whose interests are we really serving here, the
Middlebury area population or large corporations and chain stores who
are not concerned about the long term impact of development in a small
rural community? If you believe it’s the latter, then speak out.

Michele Fay
Ripton

What a pleasure to wander into the newly renovated bookstore in downtown Middlebury — it’s a place to sit and read, to browse; the windows are filled with copies of the new book from Cornwall’s Jon Isham.

And what fun to walk across the street to Carol’s coffee shop, where there’s locally roasted coffee from Bristol, and local music a couple of nights a week.

And what a sadness to open the paper and see that there’s a Starbucks coming to town. A Starbucks that will be exactly like the other 11,000 Starbucks across the nation right down to the music on the soundtrack, a Starbucks where money that goes into the till will largely disappear from the community. In a place where so many are working so hard to build a local economy, it’s a slap in the face that some of our area businessmen have so little imagination.

I’ll make it a point not to trade at Starbucks, and I hope that others who care about our local economy will do likewise.

Bill McKibben
Ripton

I welcome Starbucks or any other business to the area that causes others to get creative or ambitious about attracting customers. I personally would rather have a good cup of Green Mountain Roasters but think that having the opportunity to choose is beneficial to all consumers. Traveling throughout the country I have found that many businesses really strive for your business and make it a pleasant experience, where it Vermont I often feel taken for granted because it's our way or the highway. So let the games begin!

I grew up in Vermont and certainly appreciate it being distincive.  Unfortunately we all cannot avoid progress and need to view a proposed Starbucks coming to Middlebury in a positive light. They will provide employment for local individuals, contribute to the tax base and cast a positive light for the community.  I feel in no way will the shop diminish the quaintness of the downtown area, since it is outside of that retail area.  And, how many times have you tried to find a parking space downtown within reasonable walking distance from the establishments you wish to visit? 

Starbucks is a very conscience company that can offer much to the area.  They provide excellent customer service, and offer many opportunities for local individuals such as sponsorships for local fundraising events.  Go to their website and read about the company. 

Each person has their own views and have the opportunity to express them; you may not wish to see a Starbucks in the area and other people will welcome them.  If you choose to not frequent the shop, it is your right.  If others choose to go and lend support, it is also their right. 

I can bet that at one time or another a large number of those people opposed to the new shop coming to town went to McDonalds, Subway, Dunkin' Donuts, Shaw's, Hannafords...you get the picture. 

Basically, if you oppose them, don't go.