I know a rep who supplies WalMart stores in our area with various products. He has it on good authority that WalMart plans a new store in Grayton Beach. It will be a new concept very small store, the smallest WalMart in the US. This sounds almost too crazy to be true, but he swears it's going to happen. I'm not sure where there is enough land for such a project. Maybe the old "Grayton Grand" parcel?
As a small business owner on 30A, of course I can't stand the idea. Other people may think it's a great thing, as they can save a dollar on something they would otherwise purchase at an independent store. Is this a good thing and in the long -term interest of our community? I doubt it. Perhaps we could be like Vermont and tell them to stay away, or at least on Hwy 98.
I'd like to hear some thoughts from the community.
Best regards to all,
John Farmer
JohnJohnBeach FanaticSoWal397 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
6,912 views
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23Beach Runner
Beach Runnerbeats on hoodNear the ATL and in SoWal as often as possible15,269 postsJoined View profileMessagebeats on hood
Despise the idea. I'll send my brother down to whomp up.
Edited
Linz30A
Linz30ABeach ComberNashville, formerly of Blue Mountain Beach43 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Comber
You'd think the one on 98 would be enough.
Maybe they could call this one "Walton Mart" :floor::lol:
Maybe they could call this one "Walton Mart" :floor::lol:
30A Eats30A EatsBeach Lover30A95 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Lover
Say it ain't so!
I would be upset. I was opposed to the Wal Mart being built in SRB. I voiced that opinion clearly and in print! Wal Mart ruins small communities and local businesses. I would get Grayton folks involved, the Grayton Beach Homeowners Association, and the 30-A Corridor Group before it is too late! Keep me posted! -Susan Benton
I would be upset. I was opposed to the Wal Mart being built in SRB. I voiced that opinion clearly and in print! Wal Mart ruins small communities and local businesses. I would get Grayton folks involved, the Grayton Beach Homeowners Association, and the 30-A Corridor Group before it is too late! Keep me posted! -Susan Benton
30A Skunkape
30A SkunkapeSkunkyBackatown Seagrove10,329 postsJoined View profileMessageSkunky
I know a rep who supplies WalMart stores in our area with various products. He has it on good authority that WalMart plans a new store in Grayton Beach. It will be a new concept very small store, the smallest WalMart in the US. This sounds almost too crazy to be true, but he swears it's going to happen. I'm not sure where there is enough land for such a project. Maybe the old "Grayton Grand" parcel?
As a small business owner on 30A, of course I can't stand the idea. Other people may think it's a great thing, as they can save a dollar on something they would otherwise purchase at an independent store. Is this a good thing and in the long -term interest of our community? I doubt it. Perhaps we could be like Vermont and tell them to stay away, or at least on Hwy 98.
I'd like to hear some thoughts from the community.
Best regards to all,
John Farmer
John, I am skeptical that this is true. Just today I was shooting the breeze with one of the SRB Wal-Mart managers, and we were talking about how surprised they were that there was more demand from locals for groceries and sundries than tourists looking to buy beach crap. As is always the case, when customers talk, Wal-Mart li$tens. If you have been to smallmart you may have noticed about two months ago they did a small scale remodel job in the store and added more grocery and home type merchandise. I don't even pretend to know how to set up a store concept as well as Wal-Mart, but I can't imagine what they would envision selling in a Grayton Beach store. Beach crap? That didn't work already. Groceries? No way, not enough space. Lawn and garden? No way. Fishing stuff? Nah, that isn't going to keep the lights on. At some point the store would have to be so small and specialized that it wouldn't be a Wal-Mart anymore. I wouldn't lose sleep over this. And again, I will point out, the SRB Wal-Mart has yet to run anyone out of business as the doom and gloom Wal-Martophobes were predicting. It is a great option for those of us who like to save money on groceries and other items Publix will rape you on if not BOGO or on sale.
Truman
TrumanBeach Fanatic654 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
lol
beachmouse
beachmouseBeach FanaticBluewater Bay, FL3,499 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
IIRC, Walmart has been playing around with concept convenience stores for a while now. Could be they're looking to challenge Kroger/Tom Thumb in that regard.
Akarin
AkarinBeach LoverEastern Lake55 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Lover
IIRC, Walmart has been playing around with concept convenience stores for a while now. Could be they're looking to challenge Kroger/Tom Thumb in that regard.
Target has the same small store idea... I wish that was in our area over Walmart.
SouthernBelle
SouthernBelleBeach ComberSoWal42 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Comber
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!
Grayton is too cute to mess up with anything remotely resemling a Walmart. It would kill the soul of Grayton itself!
Smallmart is horrible enough. That was an ill concieved plan within itself. Walmart does not need to try to be adaptable. It simply is not. You expect to find a big selection there and small mart doesn't have a big collection anything. I have not stopped in in several months so I don't know about their remodel. But even with a remodel I am not enticed to go in. I really hope Walmart finds another place to trash.
Grayton is too cute to mess up with anything remotely resemling a Walmart. It would kill the soul of Grayton itself!
Smallmart is horrible enough. That was an ill concieved plan within itself. Walmart does not need to try to be adaptable. It simply is not. You expect to find a big selection there and small mart doesn't have a big collection anything. I have not stopped in in several months so I don't know about their remodel. But even with a remodel I am not enticed to go in. I really hope Walmart finds another place to trash.
James BentwoodJames BentwoodBeach Fanatic1,614 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
I think the concept is a good one. CVS Pharmacy has beaten them to the punch though. Look for one or 2 soon on 98.
It does seem too weird to be true. Time will tell, as they usually get their way.
Em
EmBeach FanaticWalton Co.1,506 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
I can't imagine what their focus would be with such a store. People go to Walmart because they carry a little bit of everything. No one would go to a tiny Walmart because they would have no idea if they had what they needed.
My best guess is that Walmart isn't planning the rumored neighborhood shop.
Several big box stores, including Home Depot haves toyed with the idea of opening neighborhood shops, tiny versions of their stores. They don't work because in my opinion because big box stores business model is based on economies of scale. For the price they would pay to be in Grayton, plus store costs, labor, etc, they could be on cheaper land locate a bit farther out like 98, for only a little more cost, but they would have a much bigger pool of shoppers from which to profit.
FYI the smaller" Walmart on 98 was required by the BCC (if I correctly recall) to carry a minimum of 40% groceries.
My best guess is that Walmart isn't planning the rumored neighborhood shop.
Several big box stores, including Home Depot haves toyed with the idea of opening neighborhood shops, tiny versions of their stores. They don't work because in my opinion because big box stores business model is based on economies of scale. For the price they would pay to be in Grayton, plus store costs, labor, etc, they could be on cheaper land locate a bit farther out like 98, for only a little more cost, but they would have a much bigger pool of shoppers from which to profit.
FYI the smaller" Walmart on 98 was required by the BCC (if I correctly recall) to carry a minimum of 40% groceries.
leeboyleeboyBeach Fanatic274 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
Is there renewed interest in a Grayton Beach Walmart? A lot of small businesses may go under and big chains step in?
Matt J
Matt JSWGB24,862 postsJoined View profileMessageSWGB
Is there renewed interest in a Grayton Beach Walmart? A lot of small businesses may go under and big chains step in?
Only by you. The thread is 8 years old and originally based on an unfounded rumor.
leeboyleeboyBeach Fanatic274 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
Only by you. The thread is 8 years old and originally based on an unfounded rumor.I'm more of a Target guy.
Leader of the Banned
Leader of the BannedBeach Fanatic4,094 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
This is so blue tick hound.
Petermoh
PetermohBeach ComberSanta Rosa Beach38 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Comber
Not for me.
bob bob
bob bobBeach FanaticSRB890 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
Is there renewed interest in a Grayton Beach Walmart? A lot of small businesses may go under and big chains step in?I suppose you are stirring the pot but there may be some truth in there. No doubt the business landscape is going to change in odd ways in the near future. Looking back at major events in SoWal that brought big change - hurricanes in mid 2000s, the financial crisis after that, the oil spill ...
Our development has been scorching recently.What will happen to the real estate market?
Petermoh
PetermohBeach ComberSanta Rosa Beach38 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Comber
I suppose you are stirring the pot but there may be some truth in there. No doubt the business landscape is going to change in odd ways in the near future. Looking back at major events in SoWal that brought big change - hurricanes in mid 2000s, the financial crisis after that, the oil spill ...
Our development has been scorching recently.What will happen to the real estate market?
I don't have a Crystal Ball. Fundamentals are still good, interest rates are low. the loss of jobs and income are big concerns first.
Will B
Will BModeratorAtlanta, GA4,582 postsJoined View profileMessageModerator
This is so blue tick hound.Where's Boudreaux? Is he up for adoption, still? LOL!
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