Talk:Zions Cooperative Mercantile Institution

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[edit] Failure of ZCMI expansion outside of core trade area in 1991

SEC filing that indicates closures of past ZCMI II stores (and dates of closure): http://sec.edgar-online.com/1996/09/13/00/0000109378-96-000010/Section9.asp

Deseret News article discussing retailing struggling as a whole, record of shopping center names for Phoenix area ZCMI II stores (which had not yet closed, but one had become an 'outlet' and the others adjusted their merchandise selection). http://www.desnews.com.ezproxy.westminstercollege.edu/cgi-bin/cqcgi_state/@state.env?CQ_SESSION_KEY=AXNAZOALVEPW&CQ_CUR_DOCUMENT=1&CQ_TEXT_MAIN=YES

Apparently Provo "East Bay" location was also converted to a ZCMI Outlet store, shortly after the Mesa Tri-City Mall location: http://www.desnews.com.ezproxy.westminstercollege.edu/cgi-bin/cqcgi_state/@state.env?CQ_SESSION_KEY=YCMEUMFIUGQB&CQ_CUR_DOCUMENT=1&CQ_TEXT_MAIN=YES

[edit] History

Lee Benson, columnist for the Deseret News writes about the botched merger of Meier & Frank with ZCMI after the company closed the store's basement bakery and lunch counter, apparently called "Salt Lake Downstairs" at one point. Talking with employees, it seemed Utah was the forgotten stepchild of the May division based in Portland, Ore. After consolidation with Robinson-May in Hollywood, the stores were actually treated better by the division office. http://www.desnews.com.ezproxy.westminstercollege.edu/cgi-bin/cqcgi_state/@state.env?CQ_SESSION_KEY=AXNAZOALVEPW&CQ_CUR_DOCUMENT=1&CQ_TEXT_MAIN=YES

Links to Deseret News about ZCMI's "unprecedented" expansion in 1991 before ZCMI II started struggling in Nevada and Arizona: http://www.desnews.com.ezproxy.westminstercollege.edu/cgi-bin/cqcgi_state/@state.env?CQ_SESSION_KEY=AXNAZOALVEPW&CQ_CUR_DOCUMENT=3&CQ_TEXT_MAIN=YES

Another link to a slightly earlier article by the D. News clarifying progress on ZCMI expansion - DOES REFERENCE MOVING INTO BOISE, IDAHO. http://www.desnews.com.ezproxy.westminstercollege.edu/cgi-bin/cqcgi_state/@state.env?CQ_SESSION_KEY=AXNAZOALVEPW&CQ_CUR_DOCUMENT=2&CQ_TEXT_MAIN=YES

Another reference to looking at spaces in Boise, Idaho and Twin Falls, Idaho (likely Boise Towne Square Mall and Magic Valley Mall): http://www.desnews.com.ezproxy.westminstercollege.edu/cgi-bin/cqcgi_state/@state.env?CQ_SESSION_KEY=AXNAZOALVEPW&CQ_CUR_DOCUMENT=9&CQ_TEXT_MAIN=YES

The Wikipedia entry for ZCMI needs more information on ZCMI's rich history. Any help would be appreciated. As needed, I can help with more recent history (1980's through present). —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.163.86.19 (talk • contribs)

Boy, this is the most understated thing I've read here on Wikipedia. While the current details about ZCMI are pretty good, and the list of stores when the chain wwas closed down is pretty accurate, it is hardly an exaustive list of stores that have been in existance. Virtually every Mormon community had a version of ZCMI at one time or another, and some decidedly non-Mormon communities as well. The most remarkable being a ZCMI set up in Rapid City, South Dakota.
In addition, a huge part of the history of ZCMI is tied directly with the history of Utah, including the petition for Utah statehood and the fight between the "Mormons" and the "Gentiles" during the territorial days of Utah. Part of this history should include how members of the LDS Church would face excommunication if they shopped anywhere except at ZCMI. I am not kidding here. Several LDS Church members were removed from the church rolls because of this seemingly irrational justification (based on modern sentiments). Keep in mind that there was a coordinated economic plan to try and push the non-Mormons out of Mormon influenced areas, and this is really in keeping with other business traditions of 19th Century America as well, including Standard Oil and others that would be illegal with current fair trade laws.
Saying that the LDS Church was a significant influences is hardly doing justice here. The LDS Church owned the store lock, stock, and barrel. And the decision to sell ZCMI to May department stores was mainly a way for the LDS Church to get out of that sort of business. What is surprising is that is was a subsiderary of the LDS Church for so long, making it into the 21st Century. The LDS Church has divested itself from other businesses it started back elsewhen like a Sugar Company and a chain of Hospitals, and in that context ZCMI is just one of several aspects of life in Utah. --Robert Horning 16:30, 30 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Fair use rationale for Image:ZCMIlogo1997.gif

Image:ZCMIlogo1997.gif is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

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BetacommandBot 11:38, 6 July 2007 (UTC)