Tide Dry Cleaners

Not just for wet wash anymore!

I was just informed of another franchising opportunity, this time Tide Dry Cleaners as an ad appeared in the paper and like most laundrettes in my area it's all indie (I go to one that has both offered).  No TDC locations are on the coasts just yet but of they come my way they could open in these locations:

Eastwood
DeWitt
Cicero
Fairmount
Cortland
Fulton
Oswego
Auburn
Nedrow
East Syracuse
Fayetteville
Manlius
Chittenango
Canastota
Oneida
Utica
New Hartford
Rome

I'd be lucky to start one of these!

Whole Foods

Somewhere out west.

Whole Foods have been looking into coming to CNY.  With rival Trader Joes now open in DeWitt, they may up the ante now so here's where "Whole Pay Cheque" (as some may call them) should consider if not downtown Syracuse:

Syracuse (downtown), US 11 (former Merchants Bank or Sears)
Fairmount Fair (former Ames?)
DeWitt, NY 5 (former Dicks who are moving into nearby kmart across from TJs)
Baldwinsville (former Tri-County Mall)
Liverpool, Seneca Mall, Co Rt 57 (former Price Chopper)
Ithaca, NY 13/34 (former kmart)
New Hartford, NY 5A (former Price Chopper)
Auburn (former P&C)
Fulton, NY 481 (former kmart)
Oswego, NY 104 (former Tops)
Irondequoit, Medley Centre, NY 104 (mostly empty mall)
Cortland, Riverside Mall, NY 13 and I-81 (former flea market but I also want Planet Fitness and Massage Envy there)
North Syracuse, US 11 and I-81 (former Staples, Michaels, Media Play or TJ Maxx)

Stewarts Shops

Fort Edward location.

With the new Stewarts Shops store in Liverpool now open for business there are a number of spots they could open as their footprint in CNY is limited at best compared to the Hudson and Mohawk Valleys.  Here's where they could go since Sen Schumer is trying to get closed stations to reopen:

Chittenango, NY 5/13 (former Sunrise)
Marcellus, NY 174 (former AOK)
Syracuse (Nob Hill), NY 173 & E Brighton Ave*
DeWitt, NY 5*
Elbridge, NY 5
Auburn
Fayetteville (Lyndon), NY 5/92 (former Byrne Dairy, no gas)
McKownville (Albany), US 20
East Syracuse (Carrier Circle), NY 298 & 635 (former Sunoco)
Mattydale
North Syracuse
Cicero, US 11*
Baldwinsville, NY 31/370
Fulton
Manlius

*Former Mobil.

Massage Envy

Cortland - downtown, Riverside Plaza or Cortlandville
Destiny USA - Syracuse
Clay - COR Center
New Hartford - Sangertown Square
Chittenango
Downtown Syracuse
Fairmount or Camillus
Auburn
Junius Ponds (Waterloo Premium Outlets)
Oneida
Oswego
DeWitt (Shoppingtown or Paradise Plaza)
Fulton
Colonie Center

Local everyday

It starts at home!

I've mentioned shopping local before but I found myself taking it to the next level in recent months where I go to a small and/or locally based business at least once a day; sometimes three.  Even when I buy a lot of things that the boring big box could have for a bit less, I know more than half of what I've spent is recycled into the community.  Whether you're in a small town or big city much of the industrialised world will make this possible somehow.  When certain holidays come around one may tend to run to the big boys but the indie can offer goods the other place might not.  This may be the best grassroots campaign I've come up with in a long time.  I didn't exactly plan to do this.  I noticed a pattern so I went along with it and more.
One reason this is important to me is because many small businesses in the past whether near me or on the road that I've been to have closed their doors either because no one seemed to care or the economy did them in.  It's a right shame to let that happen but we can be part of the solution if we change out choices at times.  Doesn't mean only shop local as that's not always an option.  Economic reform like charity begins at home. Also the little guy can be more convenient than some faceless corporation much of the time.
Next time you have to shop, eat out or order takeaway be sure to see if there is an alternative to the chains in your area.  Every penny spent makes a difference in the community.

The New Melody Maker: Contact information

The New Melody Maker: Contact information

Ross Stores suggestions

Allegany County store in PA.

Clay - Former Marshalls or Walmart (moving next door)
DeWitt - Former Hechinger
North Syracuse - Former Media Play or TJ Maxx
Camillus - Township 5
Chittenango - Former Ames
New Hartford - Former Price Chopper
North Syracuse - Former TJ Maxx or Media Play
Fulton - Former kmart
Colonie - Former kmart (Albany)
Flushing - Former Caldor (NYC)
Palatine Bridge - Former Ames (Mohawk Valley)
Syracuse - Destiny USA in Former Circuit City
Auburn - Former P&C
Oswego - Former Tops or Pebbles
Irondequoit - Medley Centre (Rochester)
Batavia - Former Lowes
Cortland - Former Flea Market in Riverside Plaza

Heard of Ross through amazon.