Portland, Tennessee Blog

Terry George
It is easy for you to say that it isn't how much someone makes, it's how they spend it. I easy when your sitting there on all that land in that huge house with all that money from that high paying job you and your spouce have. You should try living on minimum wage for one month.

Had my first experience with the pharmacy (as well as the store staff) at Walgreens last night. Excellent service, very pleasant people. They are off to a good start. I hope they will maintain that service over the long term.

MG62 - Reports have it that Casino Licenses could be bought as soon as July of this year if this passes! Will Portland miss the boat? That remains to be seen, you are right that we have no say in what happens across state line, therefor we need to capitalize on the situation instead of barking against, I think this is one you won't want to get Bit by!

Maybe those heirs will become more motivated because they could potentially lose money by not selling at the beginning of the rush to develop for the casino. Their property will be devalued if all the development takes place further up 31 and they miss the boat.

As some others noted in other threads--it will not take long if they get the go ahead for a casino. They will want to get it open as quickly as possible. Whether we agree with the casino coming or not is a moot issue since it is out of our jurisdiction. If we are going to be inconvenienced by the traffic, etc., then at least we need to be capitalizing on whatever benefits we can reap from the situation and we need to be jumping on this NOW--not thinking about plans for 5 years down the road.

Regarding the property at the intersection of Hwy. 31 and 52, the last I heard there was a problem getting all of the heirs who own and have a say over the sale to agree on a deal. I don't think that maybe one or two of them even live around here.

That is what was holding it up the last I heard.

Just visited the new Walgreens and I thought it was very nice with a large selection.
We got everything from a bag of candy (dark chocolate!!!!) to a toy for the grand baby.
I am glad they are here.

It really doesn't matter how much you pay a person ,it's what they do with their money that makes the difference.

gw;
No, there is no art gallery that I know of. Yes, there is a Historical Society. They meet about once a month, and have struggled much in recent years. However, there is a bit of a renewal going on with them, try watching the portland.com website for events. They keep Cold Springs School open on Sunday afternoons during warmer weather, and do other events through the year. I know that any support would be welcome. Did anyone see the video on Channel 3 about downtown Portland in the 1950s?

For those talking about what type of potentially thriving businesses to open here in a town like Portland, how about another Check Cashing place? We don't have enough. With the income level of those here in Portland, we need yet even more places for those who are bad with their money! Sure! Why not!That's why there are what? Four or five of these places in such a small town?!

Also, for those of you on here who also speak in support of the low-paying factory jobs, you are right! You have GOT to have somebody to rent your properties to! Those trailors and shacks aren't going to rent themselves! If you start paying them more, then God forbid, they may be able to OWN a home instead of rent!

God bless the USA and free enterprise!!!

I live in the eastern part of city limits and we travel weekly out to God Fathers Pizza by the interstate, they have the BEST Pizza Pockets! that place is always busy.

WALGREENS Is OPEN!! went there this morning, great to have another option for shopping and kept $50. of my money from going to KY !!

I'm not exactly sure how far the city limits extend in this direction. I live near the 52/31 W 4-way. A few years ago I heard someone had been checking into buying that land there and putting in a strip mall, then I heard something about a a grocery store,restaurant and a motel. Nothing has been heard since.When they put in the BP with the Godfathers/Quizno's all of us around here thought it would close pretty quick, but my goodness, it's packed just about everytime I drive by it! Not just cars with Sumner County tags either. Is that county or still within city limits? It would be a great place to put some businesses since travelers enter town from the Interstate there. Does anyone know anything about those old rumors? What happened?

Right on! Chuck and mg (I think we might be neighbors, I live on Eagles Nest Dr just off Kirby before N Russell)....sounds like we are on the same page...the development of a mall of some type along with all those things mentioned, i.e. bowling alley, mini-golf, etc. near the interstate at our exit would seriously put Portland on the map for more than 2 days a year. A quaint downtown district is appealing, but we have to get those travelers off the Interstate first! BTW, is there an art gallery here in Portland and/or a Historical Society? A Historical Society usually helps tremendously in the renovation and preservation of places like Main Street.

I've never owned a business in town but from what I hear in this town it's hard to get started. I've heard from business owners in town that once you get past that first year things start looking up. Now I dont know if that's all business because i've never ran my own before. Just a thought but would it be possible to somehow offer things to new business owners within their first year of business in portland to have some kind of tax benefits, or advertising benefits somehow. Nothing huge but something to allow a business to get exposure so people come by without it having to empty their pockets. Like I said things could be in place like that but maybe if they are we need better things in place. Just a thought, I'd like to see one day us having a bowling alley, small theater, putt-putt golf, a video arcade, an electronics store (so i dont have to go to rivergate all the time), and other things that could really help this town grow and get noticed.

A lot of good ideas here, but what I see is that Portland's attention is focused so much on the Strawberry Festival (which might bring overnight or out-of-town visitors for 2 days a year), but the other 363 days, what do we have to offer? One unique restaurant and the winery; we have a few nice little antique shops, but a seasoned antiquer would be in and out of town in less than an hour (probably moving on to Franklin, hitting the Cracker Barrel, then the antique malls, leaving a lot more money there)--nothing to attract overnight guests, just daytrippers--maybe. I agree that the key is development near the interstate to take advantage of people "passing through." The second key, not any less important, has to be how to entice people who live here to spend their money here and it's time for the city leaders to accept that this is not going to happen unless there are more choices, better quality, better service, more stability (instead of "here today/gone tomorrow" businesses).

On another note, I haven't seen any discussion (or I may well have missed it), but with the election of the new governor in Kentucky, I suspect that a casino will be in the offing in the next few years, and the racetrack area could be a prime location for such...Portland needs to be ready to entice those coming up I-65 to get off at exit 117 and take advantage of our fine restaurants/services/shopping near the interstate before they head up 31 to the casino. Food for thought anyway.

You're right about Gallatin.....and now uptown Gallatin is really nice....I love to go there to eat at Larvierre's and shop in the shops around the Square ! It takes people to CARE about their town to start with...I hope the same for Portland.
It has a lot of potential to "grow with" -- it just takes a vision and people to care enough to make it happen.

Well, as the saying goes, "where there is a will, there is a way!" There are many options that can be considered to please all...from the downtown, Main Street renovations to working the outer corridors of the city. We just need to do something...Portland is outdated and it will take some modernizing to keep us growing. I think the Depot Square idea for Main St is awesome, but I still believe that new malls and restauraunts near the Interstate will be the fastest way to not only bring in new revenue, but also retain the local $$ being spent elsewhere, for use in the downtown portions of the city. Interstate travelers want quick and easy, they will spend their money and keep going. Tourist attractions, such as the Strawberry Festival and a "new Depot Square" on Main Street will draw overnighters who actually want visit Portland. We've just got to have something year 'round for tourists. Any way, its just all ideas...brainstorming and such!

And the same thing almost happened to downtown Gallatin.
I grew up in Gallatin and downtown was the place to be on a Saturday. All the store fronts were full of people shopping but once the by-pass was put in, downtown started going down!! Business was moved and some even went out of business. Gallatin finally got together a committee to save their town and that they did. Most but not all stores are occupied, they have a great Octoberfest in the fall, they are putting the new library there, etc.
They saved their downtown. I just hope Portland can do the same.

AND, if the city leaders want to see what happens to a downtown when all the focus is on development along or on the "by-pass", they need to drive over to Lafayette and look at what happened to their downtown on the Square. Most of the stores have gone out of business and have old yellowed papers on their windows...a very sad site to see. There are a few businesses left, but it's really a pathetic site to see. Yes, the city leaders need to see Franklin, KY and some other cities around here to see what is possible for Portland.

We have discussed this on here before...I would like to see a mall like the one in Hendersonville or even an outlets mall like the one in Lebanon go in out by the interstate....Franklin is getting a real move on by doing exactly what you said DA...working the areas near the interstate and gaining revenue to use elsewhere in town....if the city leaders are reading this blog, please take the hint and look into getting Portland on the "grow" with some of these ideas...

Portland stands at a crossroads right now. People are divided; some want to see more businesses, both retail and restaurants, while others want to preserve the small town feel.

I suggest we look at our neighbors in Kentucky. Franklin chose to expand their city by building along the interstate, starting with Cracker Barrel and re-locating the Walmart. It was a great move for the city; because of the growth and extra taxes, they are busily remodeling the Square. And unlike other places, their "Square" has thriving businesses in place.

As I see it, Portland has an opportunity to do the same kind of thing, which would be the best of both worlds. We can develop the fringes of town, along the Interstate, and that will provide the means to spruce up and rejuvenate the Main St. area.

However, timing is important. If we don't start soon at getting retail and restaurants along I-65, it will be too late. There is a push to start working on Main St., and I think that is good, but our leaders need to see that the money isn't there at this time to re-do Main. If we had some successful businesses (more than industrial) along 52W and 31W, we would have the funding to fix Main Street up better than ever, for those folks who would like to see things stay small town.

They could turn the existing "uptown" area into something like that....that would be really nice, I think. Have restaurants, coffeeshops, etc.....

I am inclined to agree with you kh....it really would be nice to have a mall area like the one in Hendersonville...they have Starbucks, Panera Bread, Kohls, lots of good places to shop and eat..Portland could really use an area like that...especially with the new industries coming in,there would be plenty of people to support it...

I'm very glad to see Walgreens coming. I don't plan on getting my prescriptions filled there, but I really like shopping there. They have really good sales. I have to drive to White House now if I want to get something. I'll be glad when I can just pop in on my lunch break. I do hope that they have as good of customer service as the one in White House does. The one in White House has GREAT customer service. I use to think that CVS had bad customer service about a year ago. It really seems like it has gotten a little better. Now, I think the customer service back in prescriptions is horrible and it takes them FOREVER to fill my prescription. I use to could get a prescription filled at Pharmacy Express rather quickly, but the last time I went, it took over an hour! I also wish that we could get better businesses here, but I really don't think the people in this town would support them. I think that we would have to get a whole slew of things at one time for people here to support the new businesses. Most teenagers want to be able to go out to eat and watch a movie. You can't do both of them here. A lot of people like to go clothes shopping at several different stores and eat somewhere nice when they are done. You can't do both here. Unless we can build a movie theater, a nice big shopping mall (like what is in Hendersonville) and 2-3 nice restaurants all at one time, not many new businesses will last very long here. They will do very well the first couple of weeks, but then everyone will get tired of it and go somewhere else, like they always do.

I totally agree with you MG on the places that are open late. I myself am a night owl and when I go to the gym it's late at night, when I sometimes go shopping it's late after noon. I've also been known to go to food lion at 11pm at night for odd reasons. Our fast food restaurants aren't open really late but that's ok. I however haven't ever had any problems with CVS. I'll probably continue to shop there but with a walgreens I'll have more options which will be nice.

Wow, I hadn't read this string in a few days but boy, was I impressed with what volzmom wrote. She did a fine job putting into words what so many in this town feel.

Goodness knows we need more businesses here if we want people to spend their money here, and we need businesses that are open at hours that work for our "bedroom community" of commuters, instead of "banker's hours."

I am not really a fan of Walgreens, but I am less a fan of CVS, so when they open, I'll be transferring my prescriptions there. If Walgreens proves to be no more reliable than CVS, I will be forced to go to Gallatin for my prescriptions, thus taking my business out of Portland's pockets. I acknowledge the value of the "mom and pop" stores, but the national chain is what works for me--I like knowing that if I have to make a trip and forget or lose my pills, I can pop into the local chain store and get my prescriptions refilled.

I admit though, I have never had such problems getting prescriptions filled as I have had with CVS. Every time I need to go there, I just grit my teeth. Heck, I can't even get my pictures developed properly at CVS. To their credit, I will say they aren't ever unfriendly or rude, nor do they appear to lazing about...just apparently not quite competent.

Nonetheless, it's always a good thing to see new businesses come here, where I can have a CHOICE about doing business in Portland. At least with the not inconsiderable financial investment Walgreens has made in demolition of the Ponderosa building and construction of their own building, they might last here more than 6 months.

GW-right on!
Judy-Don't think I forgot about that Dolphins comment, lol.

Seriously, my sympathy to everyone there for the weather last night, that sounded horrible. And by now I'm sure you guys heard about the explosion in Hartsville of the natural gas pipeline with flames shooting up to 500 feet in the air. What a shame. I bet the state is feeling pretty bad right now for allowing that and not the Portland lake!

Brian - I know all too well about being the so called "Blog Policeman" Michelle and I have been tagged with that several times in the past, I guess now it's your turn, sigggggghhhh... Things won't be the same, I lost so much sleep over it!

Daniel - How's it going!! We do miss you.... Really! Glad you are still checking in on us from time to time.

Hey there Daniel! Glad to see you are still with us...
and heaven forbid I be allowed to decide if I want to drink a Margarita or not with my steak! Check out the My Two Cents Worth article in this Wed edition of the Portland Progressive! Talk about being allowed to make "adult choices and decisions!"
As for knowing who anyone is, I don't have a clue, even when their name is posted...so I just write and share my opinion...my opinion as in resenting laws that take away my right to make personal choices, whether it is food, fun or drink! Next thing ya' know, there will be a law to tell me when to get up and when to go to bed...everyone over 50 has to be in bed by 10:00p.m.! How does that sound? I still want an O'Charley's in Portland...let's do what we have to do to get one...if you don't want to drink alcohol, do like the Nike commercial says...Just Say No!

Come on now GW, you know if Portland gets an O'Charley's that would mean the horrible booze has entered the city. Looks like you guys have been keeping yourselves entertained on here without me. I'm kind of hurt, haha. I learned a long time ago on here not to worry yourself with who each person is, just take the blog for what it's worth, a place to share ideas and thoughts. It's not always the truth, it's not always right, but it's a way for the community to share their feelings and as long as someone isn't using false information to defame someone, it's a great source.

Welcome Walgreens! I am looking forward to browsing around in Walgreens. They do have lots more to offer than just meds! As for CVS, I think that a few "customer service" classes for their employees is in order! Now, if we can just get an O'Charleys or even a Cracker Barrell, yee ha!

You've done a lot to keep this blog going Judy. Thanks for your comment.
I've got a good idea on one of the commentators in question, and there are ties if I am correct. Just doing my job as the "blog policeman" ;)
There are very good people at 109 S. Broadway. I invited myself to have lunch with one of them today at a local restaurant. I've heard second hand there are a few that have taken our rivalry a little too personally.
If anyone wants to communicate with me personally, you can write me at my hotmail address, brianruckle@hotmail.com.

Volzmom - WOWwwzza!!! Great Post! I couldn't of said it better myself.

When, oh when, are (some of) you people that don't want change going to realize that change is good? Change is growth. I am sick of driving all the way to Gallatin for my meds when my family is sick. It is very inconvenient. I do not go to any pharmacies in Portland because of the flap you get when you try to use your insurance. I tried to sign up at CVS one day and that was the biggest hassle I have ever been through with a pharmacy. As for the "Mom and Pop" pharmacies, while I support those type businesses, Village Drugs does not have late hours where you can go at night after work for one. And the other pharmacy, has the same problem. By the time I get back to Portland from working in Nashville both are pretty much closed or closing. While I use Village drugs to purchase Webkinz I would not purchase much else there. Their prices are much higher than anywhere nearby. And if you get your medication from Fred's than you are a much braver soul than I am. I can go to any Walgreens and my info is in their computer.

Most of the people on here in past posts have whined and complained about the lack of businesses here and made fun of Portland being "progressive" and a city on the "grow". Now we are finally growing a little and what do some of you do? Complain.

As for that Ponderosa or whatever it was-The food was good for about a week. Then it was horrible. I hated it the last 2 times I went there. Then we had to look at an empty bldg for the longest time which was unsightly. And really what business did you think was going to move in there. Another Mexican restaraunt? Normally any chain restaraunt would want to build their own bldg. It had to come down. I would much rather see that walgreens bldg than the empty ponderosa bldg-especially with nobody mowing the grass.

I really wish Portland would come out of the past and move into the future. I have lived here 6 years and when the time comes to move it will probably be to another city because I always end up in Gallatin, Hendersonville or Frankin when I need anything. IF Portland would actually build some real businesses then I would love to stay here. But if the people runing the portland show have the same attitude as some of the people on here then growth will never happen. The only reasons I stay here is my kids school (which they love) and our church. That is it. Portland as a city doesn't have much else to offer. I don't even have a bank up here that I can go to-or for that matter an ATM.
I am a christian and I don't drink, but I do not oppose businesses that have alcohol moving to portland such as Ocharleys, or chili's. Just because a business has that doesn't mean that I have to partake in it. And for those that oppose alcohol coming into portland. For a moment lets think of these people that are drinking and driving coming up 109 late at night and causing wrecks. It doen't matter where people get it if they want it they will find a way. And then when they do they will be on our roads driving home.

And for that matter what about a crackerbarrel near the interstate or a zaxbys or captain d's or any NORMAL business you would see in any other city but this one?????

And what about all the jobs that these businesses could bring to a city that has very limited jobs? I would say 85% of the people that live here have to commute to another city to work. We need this growth. We need to move into the future instead of watching all the other cities around us pass us by!!

Normally I just read the posts on here but today I had to put my 2cents in..Sorry if I got to passionate about it.

Please welcome any business that would dare to step foot in this ungrateful city! I know I will!

I have also been given less than friendly service at CVS. My son takes 6 medications that come to around $800.00 a month which is more than my house payment and it would be nice if I could go in there just one time and not be made to feel like I am inconveniencing them. The ONLY reason I haven't switched to another pharmacy is because of the store being open later which is more convenient and because they are the only pharmacy in town that carries a particular generic form of one medicine my son takes. (I found out the hard way that not all generic medicines are the same and he ended up in the hospital, so I refuse to chance a different brand) Anyway, with all that said, if Walgreens carries what we need, or is willing to order it, I won't hesitate to switch and CVS can share their bad attitudes with someone else.

Brian
You sure are awefull touchy when it comes to "The Prog". I can understand your being loyal to a previous employer, but to say people from 109 S. Broadway, "The Portland L" are here on this blog taking jabs at you and the "prog" is a tad bit over reacting.

I have been active on this blog for almost 2 years now, And yes I know you were one of the originals with this blog, but, Ace, DA, and others have been here during my time here, a time when Daniel from the "Prog" activly posted comments all the time, outside of people not agreeing with Daniel's statements there has never been aggression towards "The Prog" as a News Paper. I think you need to realize and perhaps respect the people of this town that are quite upset about what they have heard about a high ranking employee at that paper. I would think that someone that has such deep emotional ties to our small town community like you portray yourself to have would better understand this.
PS: I have no ties to 109 S. Broadway. My last name is in my email address if you care to know. ;))

Why don't you just ask me? My time working for the Progressive was a truly wonderful experience. It was the most maddening, frustrating, and time consuming (60 - 70 hours per week, evenings, weekends, middle of the night etc.) job I've ever had, and also the most satisfying. While I grew up in Portland, most of my time was spent in the Highland community. Working for the Progressive I got a feeling of the heart and soul of the community that I hadn't had previously.
I was told I was welcome to come back and work for the Progressive and Rural Newspapers. I had already started another job, and now that I have a daughter I wanted a job that would allow me more time to be a dad.
While I am not going to return to work for the Progressive, I will still support them and perhaps write for them from time to time.
Scott Wilson is a very experienced journalist and a gentleman. Please make a point to meet him and give him the support you gave me.
Since I'm no longer at the Progressive, I'll probably spend more time here on the blog tormenting DA, Ace, and everybody else from 109 S. Broadway who are hiding behind pseudonyms and taking shots at me and The Progressive. ;)

Anyone care to speculate on whether Brian will go back to the Progressive? Is he back permanently?

I will be happy when Walgreens opens. I just hope that I receive a smiling face anytime I enter the store. Not a sour face and never a Hello like I receive when I go to CVS.
If you ever want to learn how to give lousy customer service go to CVS. Or better yet call them and ask if they have something in stock. You will get a "I don't know" and not a "Let me go check".
My last experience with them could have probably killed me if I hadn't read the printout that comes with all medicine. To make a long story short, they gave me the wrong medicine and the bottle was marked wrong. The folks at CVS didn't seem to think it was a big deal.

So I will change to Walgreens and trust them until they give me reason not to.

I am excited about Walgreens, just for the sake of competition..I mean, with al due respect, I understand how hard running a business must be,but with gas prices up,job paying at a ridiculous low, its hard to budget in a whopping $8 for something simple like Tylenol or $5 for a greeting card (which by the way Dollar General has got my business on those things!) :) I think a variety is what we all want and maybe (just maybe) this is a start to other businesses taking an intrest in our little town. Let's try to stay positive until proven otherwise :)

I, for one, am glad to see Walgreens. Finally a well known company with a good rep, great prices/sales on both prescriptions and other items! Coming from Nashville, it was hard to get home in time to pick up your medicine before the mom and pop stores (which will con't to do just fine with all of their loyal client base)roll up the sidewalks with a lot of the other businesses around here. And it's a simple concept, if you don't like them (even without giving them a chance) then just plain don't go. No need to harp and whine about. And good luck to the Extreme Caffeine Coffee House. That's more than a trend (and I agree, that culture may not have arrived here yet, along with many other things, lol) they are everywhere and normally quite profitable. If more people would actually get out and try some things rather than gripe so much, maybe this town will progress quicker one day.

Better watch out, Ace. The blog policeman is back.

Well I dont see anyone going to shop at Walgreens instead of walmart but I guess they might go there for the few things like you would go to CVS for. I personally shop at Food Lion first when I get food partly because I once worked there and it's closeby. compared to Walmart it's not much more at all on things and remember you dont have to by name brand products all the time. I'm a big supporter of buying from my community when the deals are comparable. I'll spend a little extra for a 5 min drive versus a 20 min drive one way.

Besides every business in town being locally owned isn't always great because owners a lot of times will use their personal feelings towards business decisions instead of doing whats legally, ethically, or even financially right for their business. I'm not pointing the finger here. I just dont like thinking about how a small handful of people in town own a lot of the business around here. Goodluck Walgreens!

I get my prescriptions filled at Village Drugs. I love how they make you feel like a real person and not just another prescription they have to fill. Village Drugs is very Portland orientated. I like that. I do not go to CVS because everything there is sooo expensive. But, I do like Walgreens, when they have a sale, they have a sale. But, on the other hand, I have to agree. We did not need another pharmacy. But, they are here, so what else can we do, but to welcome them.

I see Walgreens as a start to attracting other chain stores, I too was disappointed that the restaurant that used to be there closed, but their food was horrible and was bound to happen, but hoped another food chain might open there, like Pancake House, Denny's, or perkins, as they do not sell beer or wine and are very family oriented. Change takes time and will not happen overnight but this is a start.

As for shoping locally owned businesses before corporate ones, If the price is right there shouldn't be a problem, with today's economic status one cannot afford to pay $2, 3, 4, 5 etc more for a prescription or pharmacy item if they can get it cheaper elsewhere in town. It is my hopes that Walgreens will keep some from jumping the state line and keep more money here in Portland. I know I am tired of running north every time I turn around and welcome the opportunity to shop Portland FIRST!

Coffee House culture hasn't arrived in Portland and according to the news, many of the big name Coffee houses are closing down, could this be the end of the golden cup of coffee? Perhaps Extreme got started at the end of a trend. Maybe they can use the space for a daycare for members to leave the little ones while they work out, I would think this would increase memberships and attendance for those that needed a sitter just to work out. Just a thought, there are several around Nashville that offer this, and it is a big plus to their business.

Portland has a very nice little coffee shop at Extreme Caffine, right between the gym and the tanning salon. They have good coffee and free wi-fi. I go there quite often with my laptop. Unfortunately, I'm one of the few that go there often. Usually there are just one or two people there. Coffee house culture must not have arrived in Portland yet, but it wish people would start going to it before the owners turn it into something else.

Out of all the things this town needs, why do we have yet another drug store? Drug stores, fast food joints and gas stations seem to make up this whole town. Kids still don't have much of a choice in places they can go, adults still have to go out of town to buy clothing and most other items, as well as for entertainment. Can we get a bookstore? A game room? A coffee shop? Target? SOMETHING? Do the people who make the decisions for this town actually listen to residents of Portland?

Judy,
Good point about Walgreens posing its biggest challenge to CVS. I do hope you are right about the local businesses retaining their customers, because it is getting rather crowded in town. Hopefully people who would have gone to Wal-Mart will stay in Portland.
I'll let the newspapers do the welcoming. If I run into the new manager, I'll welcome him or her to town. Still, If I ever have the opportunity, I would encourage people to shop first at the shops that have local ownership instead of the big corporations.

Brian - I have to agree with DeeAnna, your post hardly sounds like a warm welcome to a new business in this town, granted there are about as many pharmacy's as fast food joints, but if we continue to shelter the mom & pop businesses this town will remain the same as it has for years. To be progressive we must grow, and growth only comes when new businesses take a risk by coming to our town. I don't know about Walgreens but many larger chain stores provide a lot of community support thru grants and the like. I see this store as great competition for CVS, the mom & pop ones have their own loyal customers and will do just fine, if not then they may not be providing what the community needs.

Ace, I was the first person to get involved with the blog and I used to write quite often on it. Now that I am back in Portland, I'm probably going to write much more often on it. Right now, my wife and daughter are back in China for the Chinese New Year and I have more time to contribute to the blog.

Get used to seeing me on the blog.

By the way, do you have anything to contribute to the topic at hand?

I'm sure a big corporate Walgreens can handle it. I didn't say I was opposed to them coming, just that I wasn't too enthusiastic and I would prefer a restaurant or some other kind of retail establishment. Portland already has four pharmacies. Big corporate businesses like Walgreens come into town and small mom and pop businesses shut down. Pharmacy Express and Village Drugs are far more supportive of the community than CVS and Fred's.

Good point regarding the nationwide computer database.

It looks to me like B. Ruckle is trying to bury the "Bullies" thread. He seems to be doing "Spin Control" for the frequently mention individual in that thread.

I'm sure Pharmacy Express and Village Drugs appreciate your loyalty, but is that a way to welcome a new business to town ? How can Portland be expected to grow if that is the feeling ?? Maybe if a Logan's were to come to town, people would say...I prefer to eat at the Panther Den out of loyalty !! Walgreen's has a lot to offer --- one of them is the ability to get your prescriptions filled in any Walgreen's whether you are in Portland, TN or Portland, Oregon....it's good to be in a system like that when you are traveling. Does Pharmacy Express have a database or computer system that enables you to do that ?
I'm sure Walgreens will have a bigger selection of products and much more to offer than just prescriptions and greeting cards. I would have preferred a restaurant, too....but I've given up on that one.