As Tuesday July 25, 2006 SAGA unveiled it's new downtown location at 29 Broadway. It's intention is to use the location, window space and a small portion of the interior as an "information center" in order to promote appropriate retail development, to continue with it's efforts in establishing a size cap for retail spaces and to further it's education campaign as to the impacts of inappropriately sized big box retailers in the Saranac Lake area. Information will be readily posted on the storefront window and entrance area and there will be an effort to man the space on a limited basis, depending on available volunteer help. It should be noted that SAGA is paying rent for this space and that it is supported by local dollars - not some multi-billion dollar mega-corporation from someplace like Arkansas.

It is recognized that there is an effort on the part of W/M and it's supporters to influence the community with inaccurate, misleading and deceiving "information" As we all know, W/M has ramped up to shrill level it's PR campaign of perpetuating myths that are not grounded in any reality... and they have found some local folks to believe them and even repeat them. The storefront will be focused on giving accurate information about the impacts (positive and negaive) on the community of Saranac Lake of different sized retailers. Although SAGA has not been specifically opposed to W/M, we have been very critical of it's oversized proposal (121,000 sq ft SUPER-CENTER) and the damaging effect it will have on Saranac Lake. We've made no secret of the fact that if they would size a store appropriately, we would not oppose W/M. However, W/M and representatives of the local W/M support group CARD have shown no interest in discussing a reasonable size - they have all made it very clear they only support a 121,000 sq ft Wal-Mart Super Center. Thus far we have seen no desire to compromise. This store is partially in response to the Walmart supported campaign but primarily to see that accurate information is available. Questions can be asked through SAGA's Website http://www.soundgrowth.info