Wallowa County city bans chain stores amid dollar store backlash

An organized campaign to prevent the spread of chain dollar stores in Wallowa County scored a significant victory earlier this month.

The Joseph City Council passed an ordinance banning “formula” businesses from operating within city limits. While the law doesn’t identify any chain stores by name, it arrived amid community concern over the spread of dollar stores throughout Wallowa County and eastern Oregon.

Local entrepreneur Erika Polmar co-founded No Dollar General, a group that formed after the Tennessee-based chain decided to build a new store in the city of Wallowa. Joseph passed the ordinance as rumors spread that Dollar General wanted to open more locations in Wallowa County, Polmar said.