As an owner of a pet supply store in the Broad Ripple area I couldn't help but notice all the attention Rudy Nehrling of The Good Earth is stirring about "Keep Broad Ripple Local". That was the message written on a sign that he showed up with at the mayor's ribbon cutting ceremony at the new parking garage in early May. Ever since, a full protest has gone into action, of a proposal to develop a Whole Foods Grocery located at 6349 College. Good Earth Natural Foods, Inc. is at 6350 Guilford and has been for 42 years. The five story development that includes a parking garage and apartments will be only 100 yards from Rudy's door. Rudy, who now operates The Good Earth, is the son-in-law of Bob Landman, former owner, who died unexpectedly in 2008. I am a big advocate of shopping local and in fact was a charter sponsor of the initiative Midtown Loves Local which has proliferated little orange window stickers at local shops. After reading other media reports and meeting one of his employees I called him in a show of support. I can't imagine how I would react if a 35,000 square foot Pet Smart or Pet Co built 100 yards from my door. That very thing is happening all over the country and small independent pet stores are going and gone. I truly felt his pain and wanted to hear his story. First off let me just say that 42 years in business is a lot of history and service and is a major contribution to the Broad Ripple Community. The Village Association owes a debt of support to this member. You may remember Minneapolis-based Supervalu-Sunflower Market which opened at 1021 Broad Ripple Avenue in 2006. They specialized in organic food and natural products until they closed in 2008. It was a rough ride for the Good Earth's Bob Landman who did everything he could to keep his business alive while everyone flocked to the new store. He weathered it by cutting staff's hours, taking no pay and cashing in his life insurance policy. Sadly that policy was needed soon after. But Rudy said he still paid his bills and nobody was let go. Today The Good Earth provides an income for his widow and 19 other people. But the good fight for The Good Earth has come again and this time, these years later, it's become a fight for the community and all local businesses because Broad Ripple is mostly all small, locally owned independents. Sunflower Market was only 4,000 to 5,000 sq. feet compared to the proposed Texas based Whole Foods at 35,000. Taken from The Good Earth's Facebook page, the protest is about the fact that Whole Foods is an out-of-state Giant with an expanding store already located just two miles north in Nora. To add fuel to the fiery protest the city is considering using the new Midtown TIF to assist in giving millions of taxpayers' dollars to the developer. This TIF was created for improvement including infrastructure in neighborhoods that need it most in the Midtown district, from 38th and Fall Creek to 70th and College. One such block that has been seeking TIF assistance is 49th and College which has been partially bulldozed, sits barren and has been blighted for many years. Supporters and developers of that corner have been denied TIF while projects downtown have moved forward. Protesters do not think TIF is warranted in Broad Ripple for this project. Rudy told me that there is vacancy in every direction of him. Rents have been soaring with the popularity of Broad Ripple and small independents can't pay. The space at the SE corner of College and Broad Ripple Avenue has been vacant for a while. Many protestors, activists, business owners and residents feel that allowing corporate chains into the village removes the quaintness, charm and uniqueness of the community. They claim the height of the apartments is out of scale for the area.

A petition is online and at The Good Earth with over 2,000 signatures. According to Rudy it will be in other stores as well. Upon viewing it I found some good comments. "Put it downtown" said one. Another stated "Neighborhoods like Irvington, Broad Ripple and Fountain Square are the only ones with any soul in this city. Don't ruin it." Soul. Yes, Broad Ripple has soul. I just never thought of it that way. I ponder what will happen to Johnny's Market this time. My husband who was the American Legion Post #3 Commander at the time helped him secure the deal to set up his market on their property, all those years ago. If I am correct it appears from drawings that that part of the property would become another parking garage.

Taken from the Midtown Loves Local website:

• Midtown Loves Local is a campaign supported by locally owned, independent businesses in Midtown Indianapolis to create and build awareness that spending locally sustains the local economy, keeps the community unique, creates jobs, and is ultimately an investment in the success of Midtown.
• • For each dollar you spend at an independent, locally owned Midtown business, approximately 80% goes back to the community versus about 35% from a franchise or chain - and 0% from the Internet.
• • By supporting local businesses, you're helping our community retain its character. Many Midtown businesses are owned by people who live in this community. When the businesses thrive, they have a stake in Midtown's future and are unlikely to leave.
• • Small local businesses are the largest employer nationally and, in Midtown, provide the most jobs to residents.

The re-zoning public hearing is scheduled for June 13th, 2013. I just hope the Midtown people are there to support the many Broad Ripple businesses that sport their window decals. It's community teamwork. Community with a soul.