Variety Wholesalers

In the wake of Governor Pope's inauguration yesterday, editorial writers across the state are wondering aloud just what we can expect from the new regime. Readers of BlueNC don't need to wonder at all. We know exactly what North Carolina can expect. Our state is being methodically recrafted into a wholly owned subsidiary of the Mr. Pope's sprawling retail empire: Variety Wholesalers.

It doesn't take much intellect to understand the principles of slum merchandising. One need only look at Pope's proven business model.

There's a storm a' brewing in the heart of America these days, a welcome push back by the 99% against a cabal of greedy robber barons. From exploitative companies like Papa Johns and Applebee's to North Carolina's own insidious Variety Wholesalers, regular people are at long last voting with their pocketbooks.

Have you made any personal commitments to steer clear of certain merchants as part of your political activism? If so, please shout 'em out in the comments below. Over the next week, I'll capture all entries in a thread to make it easy for your to share and track who the bad guys are.

Art Pope spends a lot of money to complain about how much money the government is taking away from him. It would seem odd then that when the government is taking good care of his money and wants to give it back to him he doesn't seem to want it back.

NC teachers calls for re-energizing the boycott of Art Pope's store. Good timing.

The North Carolina Association of Educators is calling on shoppers to boycott stores owned by conservative powerbroker Art Pope this holiday season. The teachers are targeting stores in Pope's Variety Wholesalers retail chain, which includes Roses and Maxway, in response to what they call his "anti-public education" policies.

Bad news for the Puppymaster?
Poor people are running out of money.

When it comes to indignant rants, Arthur Pious Pope III gives as good as he gets, with the level of rhetoric defending his actions directly proportional to damage he's done. His recent response to the boycott of his stores is instructive.

Art Pope Response to NCAE Teachers Union Threatened Boycott of Pope Stores
I am shocked that the NCAE, North Carolina’s teachers’ union, would threaten the jobs of the thousands of employees at our stores, in order to further their union agenda. The NCAE teachers’ union’s call for a boycott of our stores is nothing but political extortion, to try and stop me from supporting Republican candidates and conservative organizations, and instead to try and force me to support the NCAE’s Democratic Party allies and left-wing organizations.

Let's hope it sticks. And spreads.

The largest association of educators in the state is calling for a boycott of all businesses owned by Art Pope, a North Carolina business man and political insider who has contributed millions of dollars to conservative groups pressing for the elimination of caps on charter school funding. The decision to call for the boycott was made last week at the annual convention of the North Carolina Association of Educators.

Via email

Just wanted to let you folks know of a picket that is scheduled for this Saturday, March 5th. It is a protest against Art Pope, billionaire conservative who is "buying" elections and political influence in this state. Mr. Pope owns several discount stores in the Southeast, among them are Maxway, Super 10, Roses, Bargain Town, Bill's Dollar Store, Value Mart, Treasure Mart, and Super Dollar. People will be picketing the Maxway store located at 1905 Poole Road in Raleigh. We will be assembling at noon.