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Jobs and Taxes

It seems to me that Costco shoppers will be comparing products and prices with the likes of Big Y and Stop & Shop when it comes to groceries, fruits, and vegetables. Walmart is the likely competitor with respect to the non-grocery items offered by Costco. Many Guilford shoppers already go out of town to shop at BJ's and other warehouse clubs and big-box stores.

Shoppers who prefer to patronize Guilford Food Center or Bishop's and other local stores already have the supermarkets and Walmart as nearby options, but prefer the quality products and service offered by smaller stores. Those who frequent Page Hardware already have alternatives as well. Costco won't change that. It may, however, enhance the business of the smaller local stores by bringing more shoppers to town-shoppers who may avail themselves of the opportunity to shop in local stores while here. At the same time Costco will create jobs and pay much-needed local taxes.

Stephen Goldschmidt

Guilford