just for the record, i recently stopped at santa rosa pharmacy to pick up some prilosec otc. i had a pretax card to pay, which wouldn't go through their system because they hadn't upgraded to where they should be. most importantly, i had to go elsewhere to make the purchase and found that the same product at publix was $6.00 less. that's nothing to sneeze at. to me, santa rosa pharmacy is for emergencies. i'm all for small businesses succeeding but i think we all have to watch our pocketbook.
78,000 sf Walmart coming to SoWal [opening June15]
- Thread starter Kurt
- Start date
-
Trouble logging in? Send us a message with your username and/or email address for help.
just for the record, i recently stopped at santa rosa pharmacy to pick up some prilosec otc. i had a pretax card to pay, which wouldn't go through their system because they hadn't upgraded to where they should be. most importantly, i had to go elsewhere to make the purchase and found that the same product at publix was $6.00 less. that's nothing to sneeze at. to me, santa rosa pharmacy is for emergencies. i'm all for small businesses succeeding but i think we all have to watch our pocketbook.
i agree, bobby. having publix here is fine but do we really need a bunch of box stores along 98 here in south walton when it has been such a scenic road for so long? what kills me is we can't even begin to fill the office and retail spaces we have now...adding more is definitely NOT the answer to smart growth!!!
One more difference between Walmart and Publix is that the staff at Walmart wear vests which read, "How can I help you?" At Publix, the staff actually asks most everyone at some point in time during your visit, "are you finding everything you need?"
On the surface, both companies seem to be doing the same thing with those questions, but it sure feels better when people actually ask that question, rather than wear it on a vest.
I'm not a regular shopper of Walmart, though I probably go there about once every three months. I've never met the mananger, nor assisstant managers, nor ever saw anyone who looked like a manager. At Publix and For the Health of It, I not only see the managers and owners, I know most of the staff through my regular visits. I do notice this more at the WaterColor Publix, which is half the size of the full-size stores, than I do at the other new big store, more of what I'd call a big box store. Physically, the big Publix is really not much different than a small Walmart, and Target is just the same. They all have big paved parking lots, with big-box lack of curb appeal. They all take up lots of space. They all have bright lights in the parking lots, and to my knowledge, they are not using natural lighting or other renewable energy sources to operate. In my personal observations, Walmart = Target.
However, getting away from the physical plant of Walmart and Publix, one can begin to see major differences between the two, many of which scooterbug pointed out above.
Much in the same way that Publix is better than Walmart, I'd say that For the Health of It (local health food store in Blue Mtn Beach) is better than Publix. For the Health of It not only asks you if you are finding everything you need, but they actually care about the products you put in and on your body. They care about your personal health and well-being. The owners care about their staff, and their staff cares about their customers. I was tickled pink when Publix announced their new WaterColor location in South Walton, but soon after that, came the Grand Blvd and west end PCB announcements, which seemed a little much. Publix was a huge upgrade from Bruno's and Winn Dixie, in most people's opinions. Prices were higher, but who cared? Then, this year, a fourth Publix opened in the area, and that seemed more of a booting out competition move, rather than a move to accomodate need. In the summer, there may indeed be a need, but not year round. As I said earlier, if there is one good which may come from a Walmart, it would be to give Publix some competition on prices.
Commenting on some other posts, I agree that as a community, we need to recognize the reasons why people choose to vacation and live in South Walton rather than Destin or Panama City Beach. The vast majority come here because South Walton (at least the length of 30A, is quaint, different, not like Destin, PCB or the rest of Florida. There isn't a McDonald's, Best Buy, and other stores you can find around the USA. South Walton has been more unique with its business offerings, and people love that. For those who want to go "live it up," they can go to nearby Destin or PCB. While there may be times when it would be nice to be able to buy office supplies without having to take off a half day to run errands in Destin, I think that most would agree that we don't need an Office Max in South Walton. We don't need a Target, we don't need a Walmart, we don't need another Publix, we don't need an Outback Steak House, we don't need another Olive Garden, etc.
By the way, the Scenic Corridor zone is labeled on the Master Plan map I linked in an earlier post. It goes right through the new Walmart. Ironic, eh?
On the surface, both companies seem to be doing the same thing with those questions, but it sure feels better when people actually ask that question, rather than wear it on a vest.
I'm not a regular shopper of Walmart, though I probably go there about once every three months. I've never met the mananger, nor assisstant managers, nor ever saw anyone who looked like a manager. At Publix and For the Health of It, I not only see the managers and owners, I know most of the staff through my regular visits. I do notice this more at the WaterColor Publix, which is half the size of the full-size stores, than I do at the other new big store, more of what I'd call a big box store. Physically, the big Publix is really not much different than a small Walmart, and Target is just the same. They all have big paved parking lots, with big-box lack of curb appeal. They all take up lots of space. They all have bright lights in the parking lots, and to my knowledge, they are not using natural lighting or other renewable energy sources to operate. In my personal observations, Walmart = Target.
However, getting away from the physical plant of Walmart and Publix, one can begin to see major differences between the two, many of which scooterbug pointed out above.
Much in the same way that Publix is better than Walmart, I'd say that For the Health of It (local health food store in Blue Mtn Beach) is better than Publix. For the Health of It not only asks you if you are finding everything you need, but they actually care about the products you put in and on your body. They care about your personal health and well-being. The owners care about their staff, and their staff cares about their customers. I was tickled pink when Publix announced their new WaterColor location in South Walton, but soon after that, came the Grand Blvd and west end PCB announcements, which seemed a little much. Publix was a huge upgrade from Bruno's and Winn Dixie, in most people's opinions. Prices were higher, but who cared? Then, this year, a fourth Publix opened in the area, and that seemed more of a booting out competition move, rather than a move to accomodate need. In the summer, there may indeed be a need, but not year round. As I said earlier, if there is one good which may come from a Walmart, it would be to give Publix some competition on prices.
Commenting on some other posts, I agree that as a community, we need to recognize the reasons why people choose to vacation and live in South Walton rather than Destin or Panama City Beach. The vast majority come here because South Walton (at least the length of 30A, is quaint, different, not like Destin, PCB or the rest of Florida. There isn't a McDonald's, Best Buy, and other stores you can find around the USA. South Walton has been more unique with its business offerings, and people love that. For those who want to go "live it up," they can go to nearby Destin or PCB. While there may be times when it would be nice to be able to buy office supplies without having to take off a half day to run errands in Destin, I think that most would agree that we don't need an Office Max in South Walton. We don't need a Target, we don't need a Walmart, we don't need another Publix, we don't need an Outback Steak House, we don't need another Olive Garden, etc.
By the way, the Scenic Corridor zone is labeled on the Master Plan map I linked in an earlier post. It goes right through the new Walmart. Ironic, eh?
As someone who used to run a non-profit food program in FWB, I can say that Publix was by far the most generous grocer/baker in terms of donations for my clients. (Fresh Market and Panera Bread were also good, but they're smaller operations in the area)
The more these big box stores come into the area the more cool, little, funky places that have made this place unique to live leave. Yeah, they may be a little more expensive but in the end it is one of the reason we all were attracted to being here. Sadly, we may not truly realize this until it is too late.
I am sure that Walmart will be packed and they will do quite well but I personally think another little peice of our town dies when this happens.
I am sure that Walmart will be packed and they will do quite well but I personally think another little peice of our town dies when this happens.
Last edited:
I don't think the Wal Mart in itself is bad for the area, but we are in danger of over building. Think about the Grande Blvd. complex. Grande Blvd has many of the same stores as the Destin Commons. It creates no excitement and really adds very little to the area. Do they even have a Santa there? I think the Commons is a good Mall with a great atmosphere, but Grande Blvd is ususally very slow and doesn't seem as family friendly as the commons. We often drive right by G-B to go to the Commons.
The New Publix is not up to the standards of the others. In my opinion it is under-staffed and does not do the business to operate as planned. Also how long will it take for the other stores in their complex to be occupied? The new Publix is going to be short lived. If Wal Mart needs to be in So Wal they should hold out until the publix shuts down next year and use that site, save some $$$ and keep us from having an empty shell. 3 Publix in 12 miles and 5 in 25 miles with 2 Winn-Dixie, that's a lot of groceries, plenty of food to loot if we get decimated by hurricane, but too much for our food needsto support
I don't think Wal Mart will cause our small businesses to shut down, they have been doing that successfully without Wal Mart.
Anyone know if the Vietnam Steak House will ever be open, I bet not.
Does anybody know if the Vietnamiese Steak House place will ever open? What else could go in there?
The New Publix is not up to the standards of the others. In my opinion it is under-staffed and does not do the business to operate as planned. Also how long will it take for the other stores in their complex to be occupied? The new Publix is going to be short lived. If Wal Mart needs to be in So Wal they should hold out until the publix shuts down next year and use that site, save some $$$ and keep us from having an empty shell. 3 Publix in 12 miles and 5 in 25 miles with 2 Winn-Dixie, that's a lot of groceries, plenty of food to loot if we get decimated by hurricane, but too much for our food needsto support
I don't think Wal Mart will cause our small businesses to shut down, they have been doing that successfully without Wal Mart.
Anyone know if the Vietnam Steak House will ever be open, I bet not.
Does anybody know if the Vietnamiese Steak House place will ever open? What else could go in there?
I disagree. Walmart opening will end up taking much business from smaller stores in our area. Why stop and shop at ten stores when you can go to Walmart for the weekend?
98 is NOT scenic in the area they plan to put this store, I would definitely object if it were on 98 within the 30a confines. I like seeing nothing but trees. Now is this the beginning of the slippery slope? Is there some sort of domino theory when it comes to shopping centers? I guess it's worth discussing. I don't see it.
Yes. And this is a topic that really deserves its own thread. One of these days I'll start one and post some background. Like most of the politics in SoWal, it's a long story and one that should not be forgotten. Although there are more than a few politicians and developers who would like it to be.