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Teresa

SoWal Guide
Staff member
Nov 15, 2004
30,697
9,478
South Walton, FL
sowal.com
Yep, local nurseries may be in trouble, especially the one where Toni used to be, but that endeavor may fail regardless of competition. I think Publix pharmacy is already putting a squeeze on Santa Rosa Pharmacy but nobody seems to mind our new Publix.

I guess what I don't understand is why people are so surprised that the commercial land on 98 will be developed with big boxes and chains. We lament it, but we have allowed so many independent operators to fail as it is. Obviously, we vote with our wallets and we have thus far spoken loudly.

I am not worried about 98 becoming sprawl hell like some have stated above. Look at the map Kurt has posted above-the land resources simply do not exist for this. I say let the inevitable commercial development of HWY 98 occur in a coherent manner and we double our vigilance regarding the preservation of non-commercial green space and 30-A.

I reluctantly agree with you Skunk. of course we have always known this day was coming. and its only the beginning. we don't have to be happy about it though. whenever I visit other horrible urban sprawls with nothing but chains and walmarts, I am so happy we live in a place far far away.

It just seems wrong to have Walmart in our little town. But, like everywhere else, growth means change, more people and more stuff everywhere.

I will still continue to (almost) never shop at Walmart and lower prices have never really impressed me (you get what you pay for plus they just don't carry my favorite brands on many food items). that doesn't mean we have to spend more elsewhere. we just have to buy what we really need - and to me - Walmart is filled with stuff we don't need but we are so easily convinced that we do.

I am not anti Walmart because of their effect on small businesses, and large businesses having to move to China or elsewhere to supply and compete, or any of the major effects they have had on US businesses, jobs or economy - I am sure that I cannot even begin to fathom those things. I am such a SoWal/small town person that I have truly learned that Walmart is just not necessary. I have realized that there is absolutely no reason for me to shop there .. I know lots of people in other towns who live for their walmart trips - and that is wonderful for them - it is a personal choice.

however I adore my Publix - and am grateful to have more than one in our little town. They keep it very personal and community oriented. I know the managers and check out people and bakery staff and I adore the wonderful people who help take groceries out for me when needed. They give us a great deal of quality in products and service. and above all, they give us what we truly need (our daily bread).. which is why I do not balk at price. that and the fact that there was a time not long ago when we had no grocery store nearby. I am truly grateful for my big and little publix. and for my For the Health of It grocery in BMB - an outstanding resource for food and many outstanding products. between the 2, we got it more than covered. (I do miss Toni's! but grateful for the Farmer's Market).

yes, we knew it was coming. it may be a good thing in many ways for many people. If we have to have it, I hope it will benefit a great many. it will change the face of our town - completely and immediately. that is why its a sad day to me. but we will survive it just as we have survived growth and progress and development over the years. at least we do have much preserved state land, and restrictions on building heights, etc. not to mention a population of wonderful people. these are the things that matter most. Walmart moves to SoWal. well, maybe that means we are all grown up now.
 
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Miss Critter

Beach Fanatic
Mar 8, 2008
3,397
2,125
My perfect beach
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.

I didn't see it that way, kd. I think what PJJ meant is that 98 is not exactly "pristine" in its development thus far, and that no one seems to mind the old strip centers with potholes the size of small cars, or the trailers. But "big development," no matter how it may be done, is evil.

The fact is that most of the people who work here (sowal) can't afford to live here. It may only be an inconvenience to some to drive an additional 15 miles to Wal-Mart for more affordable baby diapers and formula, but to those who inhabit those trailers and many rentals in our area, it's an expense of both time and money they can ill afford. This is truly a remarkably beautiful area, but I am still bewidered by the elitism that persists in some corners.
 

scooterbug44

SoWal Expert
May 8, 2007
16,706
3,339
Sowal
Wal-mart doesn't make money by paying and treating its employees well.

Might be a way for local kids to pick up some part-time work, but as far as earning a living wage to support a family at Wal-mart - forget it! Part-time jobs w/ no benefits are the norm, not white collar corporate jobs.

Walmart is evil and sucks the soul out of any area it moves into.

If it is a foregone conclusion (and it seems to be), the best we can hope for is for our government to stand firm and make Wal-mart conform to our guidelines to mute the effect slightly.

An ordinance that makes it illegal to sell items below cost might also help keep local businesses competitive - Walmart sells below cost to shut them down, then jacks up their prices.
 

NotDeadYet

Beach Fanatic
Jul 7, 2007
1,416
489
Afraid I took it the same way kd did.
Seems like you are arguing that low wage earners need WalMart for affordable stuff. I'd say that low wage earners need a living wage. I don't think that makes me an elitist. Probably a socialist is more like it.
 

Matt J

SWGB
May 9, 2007
24,861
9,665
At the risk of a slap down I'll say that it could be worse. This is not going to be a stupor wal-mart, it's not big enough. This is not a stupid corporation, they do there research. Most likely it will not have a full grocery and will only have limited items in the food area. The size sounds huge, but most new full size stores border on 200,000 square feet to accommodate food and the regular crap.

As to affecting local business's I don't think Ace is in danger as wal-mart has a horrible hardware selection. It's mostly light bulbs and very very basic hardware. Looking for a replacement screw? Forget it. They don't even sell lumber so Ace won't be taking a hit in that department. Perhaps paint, but even that I doubt since to my knowledge they've never successfully matched a paint color, even to the swatch you hand them.

The ire of plastic beach crap seems a little misplaced as I've never seen Publix run out of it. Why would it suddenly become more prevalent? Slightly cheaper I doubt that's going to bring on more. In NWF we have the highest average vacation rental rates so it's not that people can't afford plastic beach crap or the minute difference is what's stopping them from buying it.

As to jobs you have got to be kidding me. Management is brought in from other stores, period. So for anyone reading this that is the manager of a retail outlet don't bother brushing up your resume for a manager or assistant manager position. There are probably already managers stabbing each other in the back to get transferred to this store. The most they will hire are entry level positions and possibly shift or department supervisors. All less than $10/hr. to start.

Once you weigh out all of the pros and cons the cons win, but I seriously doubt anyone is going to step up and actually fight this coming. Sowal.com is a wonderful resource, but whining, biatching, and bad mouthing here won't stop it.
(I'm hoping chiding some of the posters might actually form a movement)

All in all I'm kind of surprised at the complaints in this thread. It seems like there is massive support for Wal-Mart on 30A itself, just look at the bumpers!

logo.png
wmlogo.gif
 

30A Skunkape

Skunky
Jan 18, 2006
10,279
2,320
54
Backatown Seagrove
It is seemingly impossible to have a discussion on Wal-Mart without people getting borderline hysterical. It is a topic akin to Fox News or the ACLU.

Yet for all the vitriol I wonder how many of us own stock in Wal-Mart (knowingly or otherwise) or have stock in companies that depend on Wal-Mart to turn a profit?
 

Miss Critter

Beach Fanatic
Mar 8, 2008
3,397
2,125
My perfect beach
Walmart is evil and sucks the soul out of any area it moves into.



Sb, I'm beginning to think you don't like Walmart.
 
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Matt J

SWGB
May 9, 2007
24,861
9,665
Yet for all the vitriol I wonder how many of us own stock in Wal-Mart (knowingly or otherwise) or have stock in companies that depend on Wal-Mart to turn a profit?

Trane in Lynn Haven is very dependent on Wal-Mart. Something like 50% of the commercial a/c units they produce go to Wal-Mart.
 

30ABandMan

Beach Fanatic
Apr 1, 2007
702
84
SGB
Word on the street is that another Publix and McDonald's to be built near the intersection of 331/20. Wish the would build the WM there. I don't see us needing another Publix in the area, 4 withing 15 miles is enough. There are more Publix than Tom Thumbs in the area.
 

passin thru

Beach Fanatic
Jun 12, 2007
343
126
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.


For all you film appreciators out there (or just you folks with some common sense), may I suggest "Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price"

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiSmlmXp-aU"]YouTube- WAL-MART: The High Cost of Low Price -- teaser trailer[/ame]
 
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