Cobblestone Museum supporters step up efforts to stop Dollar General
Photo by Tom Rivers: Supporters of the Cobblestone Museum have put out signs to stop a new Dollar General from being built on Route 104, across from the historic Cobblestone Schoolhouse. This photo shows a sign in front of the Ward House. The three cobblestone buildings in the museum are a National Historic Landmark.
GAINES – The Cobblestone Museum has new signs – “Save Historic Cobblestone – No Dollar General!” – also has sent a letter to the Dollar General CEO, urging the company to find another site for a proposed store.
The museum also has petitions signed by about 1,100 people, opposing a Dollar General in the historic district on Route 104, Doug Farley, the museum director, said today.
The “Save Historic Cobblestone” signs are the latest effort to raise awareness about the issue, and to urge the Town of Gaines Zoning Board of Appeals to say no to the project.
The museum also sent a letter in mid-September to Dollar General executives, including CEO Todd Vasos.
“I am writing to make you aware that the reputation of your company is being damaged,” states the letter from the museum. “There is a proposal to build a new Dollar General store in Gaines, NY. The proposed site is within the area zoned Historic/Commercial, but most significantly it is directly across the road from the only National Historic Landmark in Orleans County, the Cobblestone Historic District.
“The addition of a modern building in this district is very upsetting to many of the area residents. In fact, about 1,000 have already signed a petition asking the Town of Gaines to deny this proposal and Dollar General to find a site outside the small historic zone.”
Dollar General hasn’t submitted a formal plan for the store but has been discussing the project with the town. The ZBA will next meet 7 p.m. on Monday at the Albion High School cafeteria. The meeting site has been moved from the Gaines Town Hall to the school due to the expected larger crowd.
The museum sent its letter to the company officials at the Dollar General headquarters in Goodlettsville, Tenn.
“By pursuing this location, your company is portraying itself as uncaring and indifferent to the concerns of the local community,” the letter states. “You are also alienating at least 1,000 potential customers who will not patronize the store if built on the proposed site. Boycotting the store will not be an inconvenience to these people as there are three dollar stores within a five mile radius of Gaines, and another Dollar General three miles away in Albion.
“I urge you to demonstrate your company is a ‘good neighbor’ and find a location outside this zone for your new store. Doing so will greatly improve the tarnished reputation you are currently building with your potential customers.”
