Today's Star Tribune includes an article explaining how the big book chains use their size to sell a hot new book - in this case the new Harry Potter title - at prices lower than independent stores can even get from the publisher. MetroIBA members are profiled on their approach to the big day for Harry Potter fans.

A sampling of Twin Cities independents found that they bought their copies of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" for 40 to 46 percent less than the $34.99 list price, depending on whether they ordered from a wholesaler or from the publisher, Scholastic Corp.

by Elliott Mann
Stillwater Gazette
Thursday, January 26, 2007

STILLWATER - A smattering of downtown Stillwater business owners and local politicians filled the back room of the Dock Café Thursday night, contesting what the business owners see as extreme property tax increases.

The meeting's focus, said state Sen. Kathy Saltzman (DFL-Woodbury), was to identify what can be done to alleviate some of the pressure the latest round of property taxes has had on downtown businesses.

"I looked at all the numbers, I can see what happened, but I really want to hear the stories," Saltzman said. "Tell me your stories - what is it going to do to your business?"

Cafe Bicko

4501 France Avenue S, Minneapolis  55410

Click here to view photos from the event.

by Elliott Mann, Stillwater Gazette

STILLWATER - A smattering of downtown Stillwater business owners and local politicians filled the back room of the Dock Café Thursday night, contesting what the business owners see as extreme property tax increases.

The meeting's focus, said state Sen. Kathy Saltzman (DFL-Woodbury), was to identify what can be done to alleviate some of the pressure the latest round of property taxes has had on downtown businesses.

"I looked at all the numbers, I can see what happened, but I really want to hear the stories," Saltzman said. "Tell me your stories - what is it going to do to your business?"

View Fox 9 coverage:

View Kare11 coverage (Windows Media Player required)

Kare11 story

Coleman, Benanav join MetroIBA to encourage shoppers to Saint Paul retailers first

(Saint Paul, MN) – On Thursday, Dec. 7 at 11 a.m., Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman will join City Councilmember Jay Benanav and the Metro Independent Business Alliance to remind holiday shoppers to put Saint Paul’s unique array of independent retailers on their holiday shopping list.   Join the mayor to meet Saint Paul retailers at Choo-choo Bob’s Train Store, 2050 Marshall Ave., Saint Paul, at Cleveland, including Legacy Chocolates, Izzy’s Ice Cream, Trotter’s Cafe, Wet Paint, The Fine Grind and a variety of other St. Paul entrepreneurs represented by Metro IBA.

Independent Shops Like Choo-Choo Bob's Keep More Money in Community, Some Leaders Say

by Jason Hoppin, St. Paul Pioneer Press 

Once upon a time, there was a script for many little boys' Christmas Eves. It went like this:

Make sure the cookies and milk are out, tell Santa Claus how good you've been (even if you did pull your sister's hair at summer camp) and remind him not to forget the electric train set you've been hoping for.

If you were lucky, there it would be Christmas morning, magically winding around a track set up beneath the Christmas tree.

St. Paul businessman Bob Medcraft, owner of Choo Choo Bob's train shop at 2050 Marshall Ave., is hoping that in this era of Xboxes and Tickle Me Elmos, trains haven't been permanently crossed off holiday wish lists.

Thanks to our Pizza Project and Stacy Mitchell events, MetroIBA has been in the news a lot lately.  Listed in reverse chronological order, have you seen ...

For Stacy Mitchell--

An interview with Don Shelby on WCCO Radio on 11/9/06.

A one-hour interview on Air America 950 on 11/8/06.

A once-local author talks about the perils of big-box retailers
Mass Consumption
by Paul Dembo
http://www.citypages.com/databank/27/1353/article14858.asp

For the Pizza Project--