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| Name: |
Catherine
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| Subject: |
Speaking of "Russell" Lands
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Date:
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2/26/2008 4:31:54 PM
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Has anyone else noticed all the "Tom's" signs being taped up around the Lake on signs along the streets and highways? "Tom's Point," "Tom's Ridge," "Please Don't Litter Tom's Highways," "This is Tom's Country," "Entering Tom's County" etc....When will they rename it "Tom's Lands?"
Did Ben Russell die? I can't believe he would allow Russell Lands to become Russell Corp. Employment at Russell Lands is evidently predicated on having a huge ego, and having been canned by Russell Corp at least once in the past. Rumor is Jack Ward will be the new golf pro when Steve Lyles steps down.
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| Name: |
Kizma Anuice
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| Subject: |
Speaking of "Russell" Lands
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Date:
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2/26/2008 6:44:44 PM
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Who do you think "TOM" is? Could it be that you think that it is Tom Lamberth when it is realy the late Tom Russell.
ALABAMA ACADEMY OF HONOR
Thomas Dameron Russell was born in Alexander City, Alabama, where he and his family were mainstays of the community and from where he exerted a strong influence for the benefit and betterment of the state. He was associated with Russell Mills, Incorporated since 1925 serving successively as purchasing agent, vice president, president, and chairman of the board. He was also president of the Alexander City Manufacturing Company and of the Alexander City Grocery Company. He was chairman of the board of the First National Bank, Alexander City and director of the First National Bank of Montgomery and of the Allied Life Insurance Company.
He served as a member of he Alabama State Docks Commission and as Chairman of the Board of Education of Alexander City. He was a director of the National Association of Manufacturers, director and past president of the Alabama State Chamber of Commerce, of the Alabama Cotton Manufacturers Association, and director of American Textile Manufacturers Association.
Because of his interest in education as a means of betterment of the people of Alabama he was elected a trustee of Samford University, Tuskegee Institute, the Southern Research Institute, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
With quiet and unassuming efficiency he moved to provide for his native Alex City those businesses and institutions which improve the community and extended his interest and efforts in this direction well past the confines of his native county
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| Name: |
MythBuster
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| Subject: |
Speaking of "Russell" Lands
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Date:
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2/26/2008 6:50:42 PM
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Someone who is "quiet and unassuming" wouldn't go around plastering his name all over the place. And that's if he was still ALIVE, which Tom Russell most definitely is NOT. So my guess is that it's NOT Tom Russell. Tom Lamberth? I don't know, but from what I've heard about him, it wouldn't surprise me.
Is there a "Tom's Children's Highway" sign? "Tom's Rock?" "Tom's Amphitheater?" If not, it will be interesting to see if those come to pass.
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| Name: |
Kizma Anuice
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| Subject: |
Speaking of "Russell" Lands
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Date:
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2/26/2008 7:04:19 PM
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If you will check my post you will see that I referred to Thomas D. Russell as the late Tom Russell.
"late" means deceased
Would it be unusual for a nephew to name something after a deceased uncle? I think not.
But then I am not into "Myths"
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| Name: |
Catherine
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| Subject: |
I don't know which Tom
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Date:
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2/26/2008 7:42:07 PM
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the signs reference. I've just seen them. And chuckled.
And I heard Tom Lamberth wasn't too happy about it, for whatever reason, so I assumed they were in reference to him (as he apparently did also).
Ironic that Tom Russell's legacy was Russell Corp and Ben's will be Russell Lands. Even more ironic is that after a lifetime of "fighting" Russell Corp, Ben's company has become it.
There is a reason why Russell Corp ultimately failed. And those who led it down that path are now again congregated at another company which clearly appears to be losing its vision and living of the glory earned by those who truly made the company what it was. I just hate to see, and never thought I would see, the day when Russell Lands truly couldn't care less about anything other than the bottom line. There are those who would steal the company right out from under Ben's nose, if they thought no one was paying attention. The "Tom's" signs were just another reminder that Lake Martin is no different than any other retreat in the world. Doomed at the hands of greed, ignorance, and arrogance.
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| Name: |
Kizma Anuice
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| Subject: |
NOT THE BAD GUYS
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Date:
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2/26/2008 8:22:06 PM
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DOES THIS SOUND LIKE GREED? especially the last paragraph
Alabama Academy of Honor
Benjamin Russell is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Russell Lands, Inc. Benjamin Russell, a native of Alexander City, Alabama, was born on January 18, 1938. He is the son of Robert Alston and Adelia McConnell Russell. He attended the grammar school and high school of Alexander City and continued his education at both Mercer University and the University of Alabama.
Career Highlights: He started his working career with summer jobs at Russell Corporation, a large textile firm founded in 1902 by his grandfather. After college and active duty training in the Air National Guard, he was employed by Russell Corporation as a management trainee.
In 1970, Russell became president of Russell Lands, Inc., a private company owned by the Russell family. Russell Lands, Inc., had been a dormant land and timber company, but it has not been transformed into a diverse organization with more than 270 employees and is recognized as Alabama’s largest recreational development company.
The company owns some 250 miles of shoreline on Lake Martin, which is one of the oldest, largest, cleanest, and most beautiful blue water lakes in the South. Over the past 25 years, Russell Lands, Inc., has developed ten waterfront residential subdivisions located on and around Lake Martin. These developments are made up of more than a thousand residential lots and about half of these already have beautiful lake homes on them.
Russell Lands, Inc., also owns and manages some 350-rental lake houses. The company’s Construction Division continues to build these homes to meet the expanding demand for vacation housing, and they are also part of the company’s recreational development effort. One of the developments is Willow Point Subdivision that surrounds the beautiful, old lakeside Championship 18-hole Willow Point Golf and Country Club. The company owns and manages this award-winning facility, which includes townhouse condominiums and guest villas. The company owns and operates four full-service marinas; owns and leases two lakeside restaurants; and owns two real estate agencies.
Russell Lands, Inc., is also in the building supply business. The company has six stores that are affiliated with the worldwide Do-it Best Corporation. The building supply stores complement Russell Lands’ focus on recreational development.
Ben Russell also created the ECON Company for the promotion of wood energy in industry. This unique company has been the world leader in developing wood energy systems for the non-forest industries. Russell’s work has resulted in the use of more than 4.2 million tons of waste wood to replace 214 million gallons of fuel oil. ECON also led the way in the research and development of a practical wood gasification power system for vehicles. In 2001, ECON Company expanded its operation into the landscaping mulch and bark field – Pineywoods Mulch Company.
In 1985, Russell became the principle stockholder of Russell Lands, Inc., and the closely held family company anticipates continued progress and success in the future.
Military Service: Air National Guard – 280th ANG, Maxwell AFB, Alabama.
Civic, Church, and Social Organizations: Business Council of Alabama, Alexander City Area Chamber of Commerce, First United Methodist Church, Willow Point Golf and Country Club.
Board Memberships: Russell Lands, Inc.; Russell Corporation; Russell Hospital; Benjamin and Roberta Russell Foundation; Children’s Harbor; Children’s Hospital; Lyman Ward Military Academy; Lake Martin Resource Association; ARISE; Willow Point Golf and Country Club.
Humanitarian Interests: In 1987, Mr. Russell founded, and still chairs, the first-ever statewide fundraising campaign for CARE, the world’s largest private relief and development agency. The campaign, CARE Alabama, has raised in excess of $7.6 million for CARE.
In 1989, Russell founded and chairs Children’s Hospital, a not-for-profit childcare organization with its mission, “strengthening children and families.” The Children’s Harbor campus is located 15 miles south of Alexander City on beautiful Lake Martin, where you will find the administrative offices and picturesque camping facilities. Mr. Russell has also made a $3 million commitment to Children’s Hospital in Birmingham for the construction of The Children’s Harbor Family Center, an innovative child and family care center. It is a collaborative effort with Children’s Hospital of Alabama and provides counseling to chronically ill children and their families from all over Alabama. The Family Center was opened in May 2001. Honors and Awards: Alexander City Man of the Year—1975; First CARE World Humanitarian Award—1990; Outstanding Philanthropist in Alabama—1994; Member, Alabama Academy of Honor—1997; CARE Philanthropist of the Year—2000.
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I'm really not up on the politics of the lake and hope that I won't be for several years to come. I come to the lake as a haven from the business world I live in. I can only say that each and everyone of us have a vision , a dream, a hope for generations to come. It can be chopped, cut and condemned by many, but if you see it and believe in it and have higher powers (spiritual) on your side, you will prevail in the end. I honestly could not judge a man based on rumors. I can say that he and his family have touched the lives of many across this nation through Children's Hospital alone. This is only a starting point in his generosity. So to Ben Russell and his family members past, I say thank you!
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| Name: |
au67
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| Subject: |
Speaking of "Russell" Lands
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Date:
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2/26/2008 9:10:52 PM
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Jack's performance as a golf pro would probably match his performance as a CEO...his handicap would be a total lack of talent.
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| Name: |
Catherine
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| Subject: |
No Kizma. It does not.
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Date:
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2/27/2008 12:40:42 PM
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Of course, Ben wasn't the subject, but don't let that get in the way of your crusade :)
Ben is asleep at the wheel and has been for several years now. In all honesty, its as if his company is more a pain in the neck than an interest in his twilight years. Can't say I blame him, what with all his success and accomplishments he has earned. The point of the post was what the "new regime" is doing to his company. It appears they are laying the groundwork for the ultimate demise of Russell Lands. At the least they are working very diligently and successfully to ensure that public perception be damned, they are "Russell Lands, by God!"
Nevermind that they all failed at Russell Corp, mind you.
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| Name: |
auman
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| Subject: |
Speaking of "Russell" Lands
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Date:
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2/27/2008 2:13:32 PM
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Obviously you really don't know what you are talking about... I do not necessarily agree with all what RL's does, but Tom Lamberth is one of the most ego less and unassuming men I know. Anybody who knows him well would say the same thing. He is a good christian man. It says a lot about someones character who is putting up those signs trying to publicly embarrass or disrespect him.
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| Name: |
8hcap
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| Subject: |
Speaking of "Russell" Lands
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Date:
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2/27/2008 9:34:14 PM
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Catherine,
Do or did you work for Russell Corp or Russell Lands? If not, tell us what Tom L (and I do not know him) or either of the mentioned corporations did to you to create such vitriol.
8
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| Name: |
Catherine
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| Subject: |
Speaking of "Russell" Lands
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Date:
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2/28/2008 9:43:34 AM
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I have never been employed by RL, though I do work closely with them and have for several years, preceeding and currently with Tom.
I have no vitriol, only an opinion based upon my personal experience and observations. Years of exposure to the company and its philosophies, evolution and practices are the basis for my opinion. Unfortunately it isn't shared by everyone, and that seems to make it less valid in the eyes of some here. My opinion is based on what I've seen and what I know. It isn't going to be changed by a bunch of know-everything experts whose strongest connection to the local economy is the fact that they bought a lot from Russell Lands and spend the 4th of July at the rock.
Ask Bass Pro Shops, Lowes, and Home Depot about the business and political practices of Russell Lands. The responses will obviously surprise many of you.
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| Name: |
8hcap
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| Subject: |
Speaking of "Russell" Lands
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Date:
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2/28/2008 12:41:58 PM
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Now you are talking about something I know about. Retailing is cutthroat and if the roles were reversed, Home Depot and/or Lowe's would take any actions to prevent a competitor from entering a market they were already in. With BASS, this area never had a chance.
8
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| Name: |
Catherine
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| Subject: |
Never had a chance?
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Date:
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2/28/2008 1:13:24 PM
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I suppose that's correct, if by "never had a chance" you mean "they'd already decided to locate here until RL told the City that if Bass was allowed to sell boats, RL would no longer subsidize the City's tax and funding reservoirs."
If that's what you mean, I couldn't agree more.
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| Name: |
HOT ROD
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| Subject: |
Speaking of "Russell" Lands
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Date:
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2/28/2008 1:20:17 PM
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How many places have you seen a Lowe's and a Home Depot right across the street from each other? I have, a lot, and I know that one of them was there first, so obviously they didn't do whatever they could to make sure they owned the market.
And then there is the way that RL threatens people to make sure they buy their materials from the Do-It Center. I even had some people in an RL truck come by my place when I was building a dock; they wanted to see a receipt for the lumber to make sure I hadn't bought it from a competitor. Legal? I don't know. Ethical? Yeah, by the Russell definition, but not by the usual decent human being definition.
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| Name: |
LifeTime Laker
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| Subject: |
Speaking of "Russell" Lands
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Date:
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2/28/2008 2:07:18 PM
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Obviously you don't know ANYTHING about retail. If you DID you would know the FIRST RULE-- COMPETITION DOES NOT HURT BUSINESS, IT CREATES BUSINESS!!
If you ask nice I will explain how this works.
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| Name: |
8hcap
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| Subject: |
Speaking of "Russell" Lands
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Date:
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2/28/2008 3:22:07 PM
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No problem LTL - I will put the 10,000,000 square feet of retail I have developed nationally out of mind so I can drink in your wisdom.
8
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| Name: |
boataholic
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| Subject: |
Speaking of "Russell" Lands
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Date:
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2/28/2008 3:23:43 PM
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Was your reply to the guys in the RL truck printable?
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| Name: |
8hcap
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| Subject: |
Never had a chance?
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Date:
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2/28/2008 3:24:21 PM
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No tht is not what I meant - in the end from a traffic and public incentive basis BASS would not select Alex City as a location.
8
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| Name: |
8hcap
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| Subject: |
Speaking of "Russell" Lands
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Date:
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2/28/2008 3:30:08 PM
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good night Hot Rod - I did not say they were always or generally successful.
When I was building my house i was concerned about the cost of the materials my contractor was purchasing from Do It. When I checked the prices here in Birmingham, i was generally surprised to find the Russel price was competittive and generally lower than the best contractor prices i could find here.
That said, if a truck driver came to my home to check invoices, he would have to come through a 357 to do it.
8
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| Name: |
LifeTime Laker
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| Subject: |
Speaking of "Russell" Lands
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Date:
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2/28/2008 5:03:16 PM
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If that was meant to impress me, well let's just call it a swing and a miss. Developing 'retail space' and running a retail outlet are worlds apart my friend. Just the fact that you have developed that much proves my point. Case in point.... you are at point A and thinking of buying a new pair of shoes. Point B is densly developed retail and point C is a lone strip mall surrounded by dense residential. Both are about the same in distance from point A. Point B area has 3-4 retail shoe outlets, point C has one. Which direction are you going to go?
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| Name: |
HOT ROD
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| Subject: |
Depends.....
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Date:
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2/28/2008 5:15:03 PM
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where are these points? In the real world, I'm going to Point B. Around here, I'm going where the Russells tell me I can go. Just speaking from experience.
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| Name: |
Catherine
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| Subject: |
But they DID select Alex City
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Date:
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2/28/2008 5:52:12 PM
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And were then told (by the Mayor) that the tax incentives Alex City had offered would only be honored if Bass Pro agreed to not sell boats.
Bass Pro told Alex City to stuff it, and Prattville gleefully rolled out the red carpet.
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| Name: |
8hcap
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| Subject: |
Speaking of "Russell" Lands
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Date:
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2/28/2008 6:06:51 PM
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depends on the retailer.
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| Name: |
8hcap
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| Subject: |
But they DID select Alex City
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Date:
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2/28/2008 6:08:45 PM
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I am sure this will not make any difference but you need to check around all the locations that are "about" to sign Bass. Until construction starts, nothing is for sure.
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| Name: |
LifeTime Laker
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| Subject: |
Speaking of "Russell" Lands
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Date:
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2/29/2008 10:03:29 AM
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That is always true if you wish to patronize a certain company or brand, but then we get into 'brand loyalty' in which case location has no bearing in the equation at all. I personally will never buy shoes from anywhere but the little independent dept. store between Peachtree City and Fayetteville. I forget the name of it but it is the best place to buy shoes that I have ever found. I have 'bad feet' so shoes are important to me. I just chose shoes at random for my story. It is the same for eateries, bars, gas stations or whatever. Folks will go where they have options.
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| Name: |
Council Roc Doc
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| Subject: |
Speaking of "Russell" Lands
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Date:
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2/29/2008 10:28:11 AM
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Smith and Davis I believe is the store you mention. Difficult to pass the store without dropping in and purchasing something!
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| Name: |
LifeTime Laker
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| Subject: |
Speaking of "Russell" Lands
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Date:
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2/29/2008 11:58:35 AM
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Yes that is it Doc. Great store, but TJ in the shoe dept. is WONDERFUL. Over the last few years I have spent THOUSANDS of $$$ on Docs and surgeries on my feet. The whole time my feet getting harder and harder to walk on. After 15-20 minutes with him and his computerized analysis I bought a new pair of athletic shoes that helped me more than anything else. I will always go back to him for shoes. It is not that big a deal since I have family all around there. But even if I didn't, I would still make the drive.
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| Name: |
8hcap
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| Subject: |
Speaking of "Russell" Lands
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Date:
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2/29/2008 1:23:10 PM
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LTL, I agree but one of the most common fights I have with retailers is the right to exclusivity in our centers. Seems they want to limit competition as much as possible. Speaking of the home improvement debate that started this, Lowe's will seek and usually obtain prohibition against hardware stores, lawm equipment stores and the like. Restaurants are the worst yet they seem to benefit the most from a densly developed restaurant area.
8
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| Name: |
8hcap
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| Subject: |
Speaking of "Russell" Lands
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Date:
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2/29/2008 1:24:18 PM
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where is it and do they carry a good supply of 14's?
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| Name: |
Council Roc Doc
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| Subject: |
Speaking of "Russell" Lands
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Date:
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3/1/2008 7:07:38 AM
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On highway 54 halfway between Peachtree City and Fayetteville. On the right if heading toward Fayetteville. One of my sons wears a size 14 and I believe we have gotten not only athletic shoes there, but also casual footwear there.
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It's a couple of miles from my "other" house; Smith and Davis is basically an old style family owned clothing and shoe store. I think of them as more of an outfitter store for work, camping, casual living, etc. They have piles of stuff that is better than average quality, nothing fancy and nothing off any designer list. Service is usually very good and they do have hard to find sizes in both shoes, boots, and clothing. 15 years ago, I figured they would never last through the intense growth of the area, but they continue to survive for now (which is a good thing). I wouldn't make a trip from Eclectic or B'ham just to go there, but then again, I'm not hard to fit and I don't know whats available for hard to fit people. If they have something you need, I'll be glad to bring it to you.
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| Name: |
LifeTime Laker
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| Subject: |
Speaking of "Russell" Lands
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Date:
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3/1/2008 10:45:52 AM
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You are correct 8, and I have been on both sides of that contract negotiations. IMHO, although they will all try to negotiate the exclusive, they realize the benifit of not having it. They know the competition is going to be close by so they try to make it inconveinient to the consumer to get to it, but they want them to KNOW it is there. I am sure you have been through the ingress/egress issue as it relates to visibillity also. That one can be real fun, especially where it is very tightly controlled by the city/state
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| Name: |
8hcap
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| Subject: |
8
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Date:
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3/1/2008 4:22:42 PM
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Thanks I get by there every now and then so I willo check it out.
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| Name: |
laketime
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| Subject: |
Speaking of "Russell" Lands
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Date:
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3/1/2008 9:19:38 PM
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Catherine,
you say you have no vitriol, no malice, Lordy i would hate to see you when
you were ticked off.
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| Name: |
DirtDiva
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| Subject: |
Smith and Davis
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Date:
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3/3/2008 10:07:57 AM
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We live around the corner from them, also. They will order shoes for you if they don't have your size (if the shoe is available). I have very narrow feet and am hard to fit. They have ordered shoes for me in the past.............. great to work with (TJ is the best)!
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