“Today’s executive order could return Americans back to the day where holding an insurance card did not guarantee quality, comprehensive health insurance coverage,” U.S. But politicians, including many in Massachusetts, have already condemned the executive order as a step toward undoing important Obama-era regulations by offering cheap, less comprehensive plans that don’t have to comply with the Affordable Care Act’s rigorous requirements. At issue is that those association health plans, according to the executive order, “will allow more small businesses to avoid many of the costly requirements.” Many fear those “costly requirements” mean the Affordable Care Act’s required benefits - things like preventive and obstetric care that, prior to the ACA’s passage, weren’t required parts of all health care plans.Įxactly which regulations those association health care plans would be exempt from is unclear, however, because the secretary of labor will now have to write those guidelines. Ratner said he has had to take on increasing health care costs for more than 150 employees.īut critics have taken issue with the executive order, which they say is designed to sabotage the Affordable Care Act. Ratner said that would “level the playing field for small businesses” like his, which competes against giants like Petco and Amazon. The executive order in question would, among other things, allow small businesses to join together as associations - like the Retailers Association of Massachusetts, for example - to either self-insure or buy large group health care plans across state lines. His business’s Facebook page was filled with vows to boycott his business. “I’m just sick,” the owner of the seven-store chain Dave’s Soda and Pet City said, describing the “email after email” he was receiving from customers and local residents angry about his appearance with Trump. On Friday, Ratner was receiving intense local blowback for that decision. Ratner announced plans to open his new store at a press conference at the site attended by members of the Board of Selectmen.NORTHAMPTON - On Thursday, local business owner Dave Ratner was one of nearly two dozen people standing around President Donald Trump as he signed an executive order on health care. New business openings have been rare in Ware in recent years. “It is nice to know that you have built a reputation and that it proceeds you and you are welcomed in the communities,” he said. “We cannot wait to get involved with the school system and churches and become part of the community.” “As we do at our other locations, we plan to become involved with the community,” Ratner said.
Ratner said there is not very much he needs to do to the building to make it a pet supplies store.Ĭarpeting was removed because his pallet moving equipment would have constantly torn it, and he said he needs to put up a sign, install automatic doors and move in fish tanks and a self-wash unit for dogs. He plans to hire eight to 10 employees, some part-time and some full-time, but he said he is not seeking any of the property tax breaks cities and towns offer that are tied to new jobs and business investment. “They said they like me in their centers, and I looked and found there is nobody near there doing what I am doing, so I am not stealing business from anyone,” Ratner said. Ratner said he was encouraged to open one of his stores there by the owners of Big Y, who own the building and are landlords for a couple of Ratner’s existing stores. It is next to the current Big Y and across West Street from Walgreen’s. The building, which was once a Big Y and most recently a Fashion Bug, has 9,600 square feet of useable space.
The store in Ware will be smaller than the four existing ones and will not carry soda, so it will be called Dave’s Pet City. They sell pet food and supplies, and while soda sales makes up just a small percentage of the overall business, Ratner continues to offer soda at those stores, partly because it gives his business a quirky name that people remember. “It is very cool.”Īfter starting 30 years ago with one store in Springfield, Ratner now also has stores in Agawam, Northampton and Hadley.
“When you are a small company like we are, everyone gets so excited that you are coming to the community,” said owner Dave Ratner. WARE – The owner of Dave’s Soda and Pet City is renovating the former Fashion Bug store on West Street and turning it into a pet food and supplies store which he plans to open by September. Dave’s Soda and Pet City owner to open store in Ware