The Fleet-Morris chain of convenience stores has ended their exclusive contract with the Clarion-Ledger's "The Distribution Network" and opened up 17 storefronts to the Mississippi Independent Publishers Association's community distribution boxes, enabling the Jackson Free Press and eight other member publications to distribute at more than two dozen new locations.

Thanks to our readers and supporters who have spoken with area managers and store owners about TDN's attack on local publishers, and thanks to the many store owners and managers who have responded.

17 brand-new multiboxes rolled out of the warehouse this morning and were delivered by MIPA members to Fleet-Morris stores. The JFP will distribute in these locations starting with this week's issue. Locations are:

Shell Stations
-----------------
3191 Hwy 80 in Pearl
6585 Old Canton Road in Ridgeland
315 S. Pearson Road in Pearl
5702 Hwy 49N in Jackson
290 Hwy 51 N in Ridgeland
2390 Hwy 80 in Jackson
455 Daniel Lake Blvd in Jackson
1419 Northside Drive in Clinton
Old Fannin Road (as soon as contruction is complete)

BP Stations
--------------
1796 W. Goverment St in Brandon
6394 Ridgewood Road in Jackson (at County Line)
4990 Highway 55 North at Canton Mart in Jackson
691 Grants Ferry in Brandon
916 Highway 49S in Richland
2411 Hwy 80 at Ellis in Jackson

Fleetway Stations
---------------------
318 Hwy 51 in Ridgeland
555 W. Peace Street in Canton

Previous Comments

ID

90152

Comment

good job jfp

Author

E

Date

2006-11-20T23:18:24-06:00

ID

90153

Comment

I'm glad to know that I will now see your box at the Fleetway on Hwy 51. I was saddened when I saw the JFP rack and all the other racks placed in front of the dumpster, and I was sure that the owner and employees had nothing to do with it since they're so nice every time I go there. When I pick up my copy of the JFP there, I will let them know how glad I am that an MIPA box is out front.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2006-11-21T01:44:58-06:00

ID

90154

Comment

Oh yeah...same goes for the Shell on 49 North. Good times.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2006-11-21T01:46:24-06:00

ID

90155

Comment

Thanks, L.W. The great news about this one for the JFP is that we were only in a couple of those spots before The Clarion-Ledger took our racks. Now we're in ALL those Fleetway-Morris spots. You gotta love good ole shoeleather entrepreneuring, eh? ;-D Also, everyone, please continue your habit of thanking all these businesses for allowing local publications back into their stories. And make sure to give them business when you're in those neighborhoods. You're what matters. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all your support over these tough months.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-11-21T11:06:18-06:00

ID

90156

Comment

Every time I get a JFP from a new location I make sure to speak my thanks and appreciation. Glad to see even more businesses waking up to TDN's ridiculous scam for what it really is. Keep up the good work guys!

Author

kp

Date

2006-11-21T14:40:22-06:00

ID

90157

Comment

Thank you, kp. We won't let up, kp. The idea that some corporation is trying to make us pay THEM to stay in our distribution spots inspires us every single day. The gall.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-11-21T14:49:14-06:00

ID

90158

Comment

The idea that some corporation is trying to make us pay THEM to stay in our distribution spots inspires us every single day. Well, I must say that when you put it that way, the whole idea sounds "stupider".

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2006-11-21T23:45:13-06:00

ID

90159

Comment

I actually avoid reading the JFP online so I can read the print edition. Call me old-fashioned. I prefer a hard copy of something to read with something to eat or drink. As someone who has thought about writing 22 books, I see both sides of this. I like the free publications (the weekend section of the CL is pretty bad) but the retailer does have the right to sell his space if he wants to do so.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2006-11-22T00:07:54-06:00

ID

90160

Comment

I prefer to read print, too, King. But blogging is very cool. ;-) Sure, the retailer should have the right to his or her storefront—but that doesn't mean that The Clarion-Ledger has the right to force other publications to pay them to be in those spots. And the worst part about this thing is that most of the retailers did not seem to understand the real deal—that they were completely giving up control of their storefronts. And you will recall that the Ledge originally gave out a list of all of our publications for the retailers to choose from—without us even knowing about it, much less being on board. Tsk, tsk. And now that dozens of TDN's original list have dropped their TDN contract, you can see how well they thought of such Gannett exclusitivity. I think many have been surprised that The Clarion-Ledger have piled our boxes and racks in an empty lot in the rain to be ruined. Ron Gooding told me months ago that he would have our JFP racks delivered, and I haven't heard another word from his about it. Also, their latest version of the TDN contract now has language that makes it clear that the retailer cannot reject any Clarion-Ledger-owned publications from the box in favor of other non-Gannett publications. That's interesting being that most of the publications in the box are Gannett-owned and the only way the retailer will make any money off it is if the non-Gannett publications have to pay to be there so that the store gets a 25 percent cut. This thing stinks bad. You can understand why retailers are dropping like flies out of the TDN contract.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-11-22T11:27:39-06:00

ID

90161

Comment

Oh, and L.W., that's exactly what they've tried to—kick all of us out of our distribution spots and make us pay Gannett if we want to come back. Then the store only gets 25 percent of that, while it adds up to thousands of dollars a year per publication for Gannett. I guess it's a great gig if you make it work.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-11-22T11:29:19-06:00

ID

90162

Comment

Congratulations! I'm so glad to see how many store owners are waking up. Thanks once again to the JFP for bringing us real unbiased news and giving us a much needed voice in the community.

Author

The Conductor

Date

2006-11-22T15:54:13-06:00