April 3, 2004
Chain reaction . . . lost in time . . . standing united
Kimber Lanning tries to practice what she preaches, but it isn't always easy.
The owner of Stinkweeds New and Used Music in Tempe is co-founder of a group that promotes shopping at local, independently owned businesses instead of at national chains as a way of keeping more money in Arizona .
But some products aren't readily available anywhere but at chain stores.
"I shop locally whenever I can, probably 85 percent of the time," Lanning said. "But where do you buy toothpaste? The same is true for gas."
Even so, Lanning's organization, Arizona Chain Reaction, is making an impact. Founded a year ago, it already has grown from a few members to nearly 170.
The group is part of a national movement to raise public awareness about the effect independent businesses have on local economies and quality of life.
Lanning said an economic-impact analysis conducted in Austin found that if a consumer spends $100 at a local independent bookstore, about $45 stays in the community. If that $100 is spent at a national chain, only $13 stays in the community.
"There is a direct correlation between where you spend your money and how much goes to your schools," Lanning said, noting that when cities give tax breaks to attract major chains such as Wal-Mart, mom-and-pop stores can be put out of business. That results in less tax revenue to fund schools and community services, she said.
Arizona Chain Reaction was founded by Lanning, who also owns Modified Arts in Phoenix; Michael Monti, proprietor of Michael Monti's Restaurants; and Cindy Dach, marketing manager of Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe.
Independent businesses that belong to the organization can be found on its Web site, www.azcr.org.
©Arizona Republic 2004
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