Consumers Frustrated With Lack of Selection Picket Area Retailers

Consumers increasingly frustrated by the lack of selection in area retailers have joined forces to picket against a long time Minneapolis furniture retailer, Lifestyle Home Decor. Cindy Maher, an area resident, who began the call to picket the store called the selection of leather sofas and chairs "outrageous" and has launched a vigorous campaign to oust the store's management after her search for a new leather sofa ended in frustration. "At most stores I see at least 250 varieties of the same item packaged differently-this is indefensible" said Maher who called the display "offensive to freedom loving people everywhere."

In an effort to defend the store, manager Ron Travis responded by saying most consumers were pleased with the lifestyle setting of his store. Roughly 1,500 picketers with signs, "Democracy/Variety Now" have promised to continue the fight as long as it takes. Travis says it's the most traffic his store has seen in years and has rallied a group of people against people who protest to defend the store's image.