By Cliff Dunn
Responding to a question about whether the city of Wilton Manors was actively discouraging the entry of new business in the form a national chain store, Heidi Shafran, Community Development Services Director responded ruefully. “If it wasn’t so tragic, it would be funny.”
“The real story,” offered Krishan Manners, President and CEO of Wilton Manors Main Street, Inc., “is why anyone would suggest something so ridiculous, and who stands to gain if something so ludicrous was actually believed?”
Shafran and Manners are doing their best to quantify a negative, as it is difficult to respond to a charge concerning something that hasn’t actually happened.
That “something” is a recent local report that the national clothing retail chain “Banana Republic” contacted city officials as a preamble to potentially opening a location in the Island City.
“Apparently,” recounted Main Street’s Manners, “they [Banana Republic] were rebuffed by the city, which allegedly wants nothing to do with a national chain locating in the city limits, bringing jobs, commerce, and other benefits. It’s ridiculous,” he laughed contemptuously.
“Of course,” added Shafran, “this whole scenario flies in the face of the already-existing relationship we enjoy with national chains like Starbucks and CVS.”
“I guess Dunkin Donuts and Publix don’t qualify as chain stores either,” agreed Manners.
“We love the idea of a hot, ‘jumping’ retail center in Wilton Manors,” Shafran said. “Why on earth would we be resistant to that?”
Manners said he heard the Banana Republic canard from a local business owner. “There wasn’t any malicious intent as it was recounted to me,” Manners insisted. “But I am disappointed by the suggestion that someone might give credence to a rumor like this.”
Manners says there’s a better alternative to the rumor mill as it concerns the city’s future growth.
“People who want the right answers should go directly to Heidi Shafran,” he suggested. “Or if she isn’t available, for heaven’s sake, give me a call.”
