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Some Orlando Stores To Charge For Use Of Shopping Carts

Posted: 7:44 am EDT July 7, 2008Updated: 4:46 pm EDT July 7, 2008

Orlando city commissioners will try to figure out what to do with shopping carts that end up where they don't belong. Some city leaders say they're creating an eye sore.

Shopping cars that belong to a Publix on Colonial Drive have been found on the sidewalk just a few feet away from the busy road. It's part of a problem that city leaders hope to fix soon.

"I get angry at the folks who take them off the property. Basically it's property of the store," said Doug Shellhammer, the store manager at Clemen's Produce.

Nearly 8 years ago, Clemens Produce installed metal poles on each shopping cart because so many of them would end up missing. Shellhammer said he doesn't even want customers taking carts to the parking lot, but some people still find a way.

"I can't possibly hold all of these things to my car that's parked right over there," said customer Allen Aboo.

Monday morning, the city might consider requiring new stores with more than 20 carts to install a retention system similar to what is being used at Big Lots. Customers have to pay a quarter for each cart. They don't get their money back until they return it.

At Wal-Mart, a digital locking signal prevents shoppers from leaving the parking lot with their carts.

"I want to make sure the store owner doesn't get punished for something someone else is doing," added Shellhammer.

The city is expected to review the current ordinances on the books to see what needs to be updated.
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