The impact of new businesses making their way to Logan

Several new businesses are coming to Logan, including Costco, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers and Black Rifle Coffee.  

Costco is opening their doors on Nov. 18, Raising Cane’s announced a location coming to Logan via Twitter on Oct. 22, and Black Rifle Coffee submitted a site plan at the corner of 400 N. and Main Street. in September.  

While many residents are excited for the new consumer options, others expressed a variety of concerns. 

One major problem that was brought up in Logan is parking. The situation is particularly challenging on Main Street and surrounding areas. 

However, Jessica Lucero, chair of the Logan Planning Commission, is optimistic. 

“Each project we approve must demonstrate adequate parking and/or submit an alternative parking plan that will address any site-specific parking deficits,” Lucero wrote in an email exchange with The Statesman.  

With incoming businesses, particularly Costco, plans were already in place to deal with the increased vehicular traffic long before construction started. 

But that has only increased the fear that with more growth, the already poor traffic congestion may worsen.  

According to Lucero, there is no doubt that traffic will increase, but it isn’t something the city is just ignoring.  

“Our city is starting to branch out a little more from Main Street, and I think that’s a positive direction for traffic flow/congestion,” Lucero wrote. 

Another fear is the effect outside companies will have on small businesses. 

USU student Elena Petersen pointed out that many non-local restaurant chains may see a hit. 

“A lot of the people I do know are more willing to spend their money on the bigger businesses because of that convenience factor,” Petersen said. 

Petersen said she isn’t sure what the exact impact will be on the smaller businesses in town, but she personally tries to support local places whenever possible. Petersen suggested using sites like Logan Foodies to get more information about local cuisine.  

Lucero said even with the arrival of outside businesses, local places can still be successful. 

“More and more businesses with corporate offices headquartered outside of Cache Valley are interested in tapping into the growing consumer base here,” Lucero wrote. “But local shops and businesses will continue to benefit from the loyal customer base they built in the valley.”  

But however loyal Logan residents may be, Petersen said the local places are getting harder and harder to find.  

“The visibility of small businesses may be threatened because a lot of these places are popping up on Main,” she said. “Certain places are very valuable to the student body here in Logan that have been closing. They are missed.” 

One of these locations is The Eastside Coffee Company, a coffee shop close to campus that recently shut down after their lease was taken over by a corporate company. 

“Those institutions should be allowed to prosper in a college town,” Petersen said. 

But according to Lucero, the increased growth from the new outside businesses is expected to fuel economic growth. 

“The growing tax base from all new businesses will help support the infrastructure and vitality of the city, contributing to upward economic trajectory,” Lucero wrote. 

-Tanner.Thomsen@usu.edu

Featured photo by Claire Ott