Lowes is looking

As the locals choose sides, Lowes is actively looking and going about business as usual.

“We are interested in Cashiers,” said Matt Van Vleet, a spokesperson in the company’s Wilkes County headquarters. “We are working toward looking at the area in more depth. Just like in any town, we will do a lot of work to make sure it is the right place before we make an announcement.”

The company, however, is doing more than just looking. It has signed a due diligence contract for a tract of land owned by Dr. Sam Leder. Tom McClure, Jackson County’s Economic Development director, says he has been in contact with company officials. The store they have discussed would bring about 75 jobs to the county.

McClure said that the EDC’s mission is to create jobs in Jackson County, and that he can’t discourage Lowes from opening in Cashiers. However, he has pointed out to Lowes’ officials some of the potential problems with locating in the Cashiers area.

“Frankly, I would hope they would locate further north in the county,” said McClure. “People from Sylva are not going to drive up there for their goods.”

He pointed out several other factors that he has shared with Lowes’ officials — the retail market is seasonal and there would be few customers from November to May; water and sewer are always a challenge in Cashiers; and there are not that many available workers.

McClure has also informed Lowes that there is some public opposition. All the advice, though, doesn’t seem to be having an effect, said McClure.

“They don’t seem too concerned. They seem to feel that the contractor market is good enough to warrant a store,” said McClure.

Lowes’ track record would indicate they know what they are doing. Last year the company opened 123 stores and this year 121. In 2003, Van Vleet said the company expects to open 130. At this point Cashiers is not on the 2003 list, he said.

Jackson County Commissioner Eddie Madden works in his family’s real estate business, which is located just across the U.S. 64 from where Lowes is looking. He has been in contact with McClure and has made the same arguments to Lowes officials.

However, being from the Cashiers area and having deep roots, he has other concerns as well.

“My top priority is to make sure that our local businesses are not adversely affected. There are many families and business owners who have been here a long time who might be harmed if Lowes comes,” said Madden.

As a realtor and someone who lives on the plateau, Madden has another concern.

“We want to maintain the small-town character of our community. I think a Lowes would adversely affect that,” said Madden. “I’m just not sure this is the right thing for Cashiers.”

A community, not a town

As locals have begun discussing whether Lowes will come to Cashiers, another lingering issue has been brought to the forefront — incorporation. Cashiers is not a town. Unlike its neighbor Highlands — which is in Macon County — there is no local zoning, no municipal taxes and no local government. Cashiers, in some ways, is no different from any other Jackson County community, be it Savannah or Balsam.

A group billing itself Team Incorporated supports the creation of a town in the Cashiers area. In fact, they have submitted a resolution to the General Assembly in hopes of winning approval for an incorporation referendum.

Madden, though, says some people mistakenly think a town could keep Lowes out.

“It wouldn’t prevent this. With zoning you can regulate aesthetics and such, but you can’t stop growth,” said Madden.

And since there is no zoning, Madden worries just what could happen if Lowes and others began eyeing the mountain community for new stores.

“We’re wide open for anything Lowes or someone else might do,” said Madden.

David vs. Goliath

Stumm and her group, though, think they might be able to stop Lowes. She said rumors started circulating two months ago about the deal and they did some sleuthing and verified that the chain was indeed looking.

At the public meeting in November nearly 150 people said they were against having a Lowes in Cashiers.

“A lot of the people who were there said they would pay more for things if it helped maintain Cashiers’ charm,” said Stumm.

Now that they volunteers have organized, Stumm said the group is moving to the second phase of its task — gathering information on how other communities have stopped Lowes, and then handing out specific tasks to those w ho are willing to volunteer.

Stumm pointed out that issues like traffic and the stores effect on the environment must be studied. She also doubts that enough workers live in the area. And, unfortunately, she also says people on both sides of this issue have strong feelings.

“People here are strong in their beliefs, but they are that way because they are proud of this town. It provides a way of life forgotten in other places,” she said. “It’s precious, and big box businesses erode that. That is well-documented.”

But many locals don’t have a problem with a Lowes. Cheryl Owen, who owns The Pine Shop of Cashiers located right in the crossroads that form the heart of the community, is among those.

“I don’t have any objections,” said Owen. She said finding a balance between growth and property rights will be difficult.

“I have respect for having your own land and doing what you want with it, but we still need to respect the land and the community,” she said. “This brings up the whole incorporation issue. As it is people can come in, buy up the land, and do what they want.”

In the end though, Owen believes competition is good.

“I think it will be an asset. Competition is good for prices and services. I don’t anticipate it will be destructive to the community,” she said.

Others though, say the exact opposite.

“Aesthetically it would ruin our community,” said Page Bernstein, a resident who is helping push the incorporation effort.