78,000 sf Walmart coming to SoWal [opening June15]

[Smiling JOe]

In my opinion, the Scenic Corridor Association, along with the Planning Commission, and perhaps the County Commission, should have long ago, addressed issues such as signage, building style and design to prevent Walmart blue from showing up on a typical big box building anywhere in South Walton. They failed. I'm not in favor of banning businesses, but I think businesses should be required to fit into our unique community. If Walmart or Best Buy (aka- Worst Buy) wants to join our community, they need to fit in, not stand out.

 

[NotDeadYet]

It will be interesting to see if they get the sign and color variances they are seeking. Or if the county will just roll over and welcome the jobs. And the sales tax revenue. And the property tax revenue.
I think I might have just answered my own question. We will see.

 

[Gidget]

Since we are currently living in Destin while building at BMB we make the drive allll the time. One thing I could do without are the billboards on 98 - ladies faces staring at me basically suggesting I need my wrinkles filled and of course a few others. I just do not like billboards.

G

 

[Smiling JOe]

I guess I will be the first to suffer the slings and arrows of saying I am looking forward to a Wal-Mart moving so close to home. As I have said before on here, in another thread on the same topic, the same rhetoric was thrown about when Wal-Mart opened a store in New Orleans' lower garden district. Not only did it bring jobs, it helped revive a slumping neighborhood without hurting the 'character'. Further, the predicted shuttering of mom and pops did not occur. If anything, there are more small businesses open in the neighborhood now than before. I predict that the new Wal-Mart will have little to no negative effect on existing business on 30-A.

We might as well face it-the day is coming when HWY 98 commercial property will be developed. Frankly I am glad to have more shopping choices. However, I will totally be a NIMBY and fight efforts to open McStores on 30-A.

I bet Publix would disagree with you. Since Walmart has many grocery items at huge discounts compared to Publix, I see many tourists going to Not-So-Super Walmart to one stop shop, for groceries, cheap beach crap, beach towels, sunscreen, beach chairs, etc. Yes, they will employee a bunch of part time people with supressed wages.

I doubt we will see Walmart "revive a slumping neighborhood." I mean, there is only so much that can be done on Monk's Lane, with a huge power line easement extending across half of all the properties.

A few months ago, I posted St Joe's development plans for these parcels of land, so this should really come as no surprise to the people who stay in tune with the local gov't happenings, or the people who read SoWal.com. Just wait until St Joe builds the apartment complexes and assisted living homes behind the Walmart and other big box stores. Walmart was the largest big box on the development plans, but not the only one IICR. There are also plans for restaurants, gas stations, oh, and lets not forget the cute little windey road going from one store to another. At least the County's hwy 98 median beautification project on that end of 98 will balance out the yucky looks of Walmart.

On the good note, Walmart will make an otherwise monopoly in our area, Publix, keep competitive on prices. By the way, Publix will honor any other store's coupons, and I believe other stores' prices.

Now, all that's missing is a Home Depot / Lowe's, Outback SteakHouse, Target, Old Navy, and Michael's. But, not to fear, they will come. Let's not forget about the other commercial plans for St Joe at WaterSound (formerly known as WaterSound North), which includes plenty of commerical space for such stores, and it will be very close to the new east end entrance to Walton County once the new road is built from the new THE Beaches of northwest Florida airport (PCB). All things in time, my friends.

I cannot wait until it takes two hours to drive on hwy 98, the length of 30A. It will be so much fun.

 

[Susan Horn]

Anyone seen this movie?

WAL-MART: The High Cost of Low Price

I haven't seen it yet, though I've been meaning to for a while. I guess now would be a good time.

 

[Gidget]

Playing Devil's Advocate here but won't that help the economy then? Seems like with allll those stores you mentioned moving into the area more people will find jobs and find it more convenient to live here. What worries me is TRAFFIC!

G

 

[PJJ]

Con: WalMart will take away from the beautiful Hwy 98 corridor of cobwebbed commercial real estate, the Jambone/Scavengers/Smoker Friendly shopping centers and trailer homes visible from the road.

Pro: The trailer home residents now have a place they can afford to purchase necessities such as flatscreens and MP3 players.

Toss up.

 

[miznotebook]

It will be interesting to see if they get the sign and color variances they are seeking. Or if the county will just roll over and welcome the jobs. And the sales tax revenue. And the property tax revenue.
I think I might have just answered my own question. We will see.

On the variances, the one regarding color was approved at last night's Design Review Board meeting. Most of you probably know that the DRB's review is confined to aesthetics. The proposed colors were a muted brown and light blue for accents, a change from the store's signature colors. The other requested exception, one for the size of the building sign (the store name lettering and logo on the front) was continued for the next DRB meeting.

 

[kathydwells]

Con: WalMart will take away from the beautiful Hwy 98 corridor of cobwebbed commercial real estate, the Jambone/Scavengers/Smoker Friendly shopping centers and trailer homes visible from the road.

Pro: The trailer home residents now have a place they can afford to purchase necessitiessuch as flatscreens and MP3 players.

Toss up.

:roll: I take this as a jab to those who live in Mobile Homes. At least they have a home. I think it sad that people make fun of people for living in Mobile homes. I see it all the time and it makes me so upset. Geez.

 

[beachmouse]

Playing Devil's Advocate here but won't that help the economy then? Seems like with allll those stores you mentioned moving into the area more people will find jobs and find it more convenient to live here. What worries me is TRAFFIC!

You can do very well if you're management at many big box and chain restaurants. (The senior manager at an Outback Steakhouse or Bonefish Grill frequently makes six figures) But the bulk of employees are in the $10/hour range and health insurance is very hit or miss, and we've already got enough of those kids of jobs in the region. Even with the economy as it is, a fair number of big box stores are still hiring.

Large numbers of those kinds of jobs are not usually a net benefit to a community. I still think the area is missing a huge opportunity by not working to bring more civilian sector tech jobs into the region. There's a huge unrealized possiblity of spin-offs from what the DoD does in the area, a surprisingly educated citizen base, and what are we waiting for?