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

[passin thru]

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.

I was glad to have some of the boxes, like Home Depot, Office Depot, Barnes & Noble, even Wal-Mart, within about 30 min. of my Seagrove Beach neighborhood -- but no closer.

For years I've felt -- and told my friends & real estate customers -- that it was preferable to have those things available within a reasonable distance but not too much closer than they are.

SJ is right -- we, and our visitors, value this place so much because it's not like everywhere else. We don't (yet) have Wal-Mart and McD's and Alvin's Island and Sonic 5 minutes away. We don't (yet) have their nighttime light pollution (tho Tom Thumb does an impressive job of it already). We don't (yet) have the number of traffic lights and low-speed traffic congestion that those places propogate.

The fact that we (were) a little harder to get to, a little further from Target, and a little more blessed with open space is what brought & has kept many of us locals here, and is in part what has blessed us with such a strong tourist economy. South Walton wasn't like south Okaloosa & Bay counties.

We don't need more Wal-Marts, or Publix, or Alvin's, and we don't probably even need two regional airports between Pensacola & Tallahassee.

But we're getting all these things, because we either outright ask for them or we don't have the foresight & courage to ever apparently say "enough is enough." And we are therefore slowly, but very surely, losing the very things that brought us here.

 

[bentley williams]

Enough is enough.


1. Walmart has a "low price leader" system. It puts one product front and center with a low price to wow people and to draw them into a particular department where they buy other stuff that is not cheaper, and often more expensive than anywhere else. When Walmart enters a market they artificially lower prices to undercut and kill off competition, then raise prices. They give the impression they have lower prices and it sticks with people. The average consumer spends more after a Walmart enters the market than before.

2. We have shipped all of our jobs and income overseas because of pressure from giants like Walmart. They have put the choke hold on and killed many American companies (see Rubbermade).

3. Walmart is not the reason Americans have sold their souls to the chinese for a few trinkets but it is one of the the main methods and a significant catalyst for gluttony.

4. As someone said above, they don't save money at Walmart, because they get hypnotized and buy stuff they don't need. It is the secret of Walmart's success and our failure. I imagine we've almost all done it, at Walmart, or Home Depot, or the mall, etc. Before you know it your buggie is full.

5. Walmart and other chains hurt local business people, even the owners of the jewelry boutique on 30A. Eventually every single visitor and resident is burned. The economic cost of perpetuating the consumer-based system is devastating to each and every one of us. The cost in energy, resources, human rights, and the ruination of our democracy through corporations' ownership of our political system are just a few sad realities happening underneath our noses.

6. Buy Walmart stock because corporations do what they do, which is strive top make the biggest profit possible (most do it at all costs). ultimately, people can only change themselves and that ain't happening.

 

[GoodWitch58]

Enough is enough.


. The economic cost of perpetuating the consumer-based system is devastating to each and every one of us. The cost in energy, resources, human rights, and the ruination of our democracy through corporations' ownership of our political system are just a few sad realities happening underneath our noses..

...and even as we write this, there are those who say that reviving the consumerism is the only way to get our economy functioning again...

 

[scooterbug44]

Buying quality American made items that you need and can afford could help get us out of this mess.

Just buying crap made overseas at a bog box store and charging it - not so much!

I shop at small local stores because I prefer that kind of shopping experience, those products, and the effects those businesses have on my community and our economy.

 

[30A Skunkape]

Publix, in all the communities that I shop in (Destin, Sandestin and SoWal) employee LOCALS and those that are challenged in some way or another! I am always greeted with a smile and a good word. Publix is NOT an uncaring "BOX STORE". I consider it to be a local establishment. Would, that we could, say the same of Walmart and other chains

Not that it suggests a trend but I know of at least one Publix employee who after years of service to the company developed an illness that prevented her from working like she once did, and the company really kind of treated her like crap.

 

[30A Skunkape]

...and even as we write this, there are those who say that reviving the consumerism is the only way to get our economy functioning again...

Cash for clunkers I think they called it. A little rebate on a new car to replace an otherwise ok car in exchange for 4 to 6 years of debt! Brilliant!

 

[Teresa]

I am not a fan of Wal-mart, I avoid them as much as possible and shop Target, mainly because shopping at Wal-mart is always so chaotic compared to Target.

I am curious though, what is the difference in Wal-mart and Publix, both are big box stores, not local mom and pop. Publix seems to be acceptable to some while Wal-mart isn't.

well, for me Publix is a community oriented store where I know many friends working there as a career, and where the employees know me, and where I can go and buy the food we need to sustain us at home, rather than go out to eat often (yuck!). Publix provides what we need on a daily basis - food, medicines, and other things for my convenience like flowers.. and it does not try to provide every single other thing on the planet for me to consume. Publix has everything I need. If I need computer supplies, I can order online. If I need a new microwave, I may go to Walmart but will probably go to Target (so much more pleasant in every way) - but these needs are very few and I will drive to PCB, Destin or DeFuniak Springs if I absolutely MUST go to walmart.

Walmart is a consumer's paradise. they may offer substantially lower prices on some items. but really, I think that Walmart shopping is great and wonderful for lots of people. some people (like many of us on this thread) have different expectations of a place they frequently spend money - such as customer satisfaction and community support.

Publix is a privately owned company committed to excellence on many levels. It provides really good employment opportunity, outstanding customer relations/satisfaction, and community involvement. Publix employees are the best as far as I am concerned. They almost always go out of their way to serve, and I really appreciate that. Plus, Publix has always promoted environmental/green practices in many ways - and now more than ever. I am willing to pay more for the Publix level of quality and service, commitment to the community and being in step with environmental concerns/practices . Its well worth it to me. always. I feel very fortunate that Publix finally made its way to SoWal!

maybe Walmart provides these things as well. I wouldn't know. but, are publix buildings as big as super walmarts? if so, it certainly does not seem so at all. I really don't compare these businesses in that way because Publix is a grocery store with a pharmacy.


About Publix
read about the corporation and its mission, and the many programs offered to the community and its customers.

 

[30A Skunkape]

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.

Bobby, I stated it above but in my experience this isn't true. Funky, niche merchants can actually thrive in a Wal-Mart world because they offer two things WM never will, namely, unusual products not consumed enough to clutter WM's valuable shelf space and good customer service.

 

[SHELLY]

...and even as we write this, there are those who say that reviving the consumerism is the only way to get our economy functioning again...

...they're saying it because it's true. Our "economy" for a couple decades has been based on borrowing money from overseas to lend to the people of the US to buy stuff they can't afford. Taking profits as money circles around the "Daisy Chain"--China, government, bankers, lenders, service workers, consumers and back to China again--is the only economic system we've got.

 

[Minnie]

First off I am not for a Wal-Mart in the area, I see no need for one. When I visit I can easily drive to Destin or over to PC for whatever I need. So I truly understand the opposition to it. I was just confused as to why Publix gets the ok but Wal-Mart doesn't and certainly Watercolor Publix has gotten closer to the 30-A corridor than this Wal-Mart will.

The point I was trying to make is that I personally see no difference in Wal-Mart as a company to Publix as a company.

I have visited the Watercolor Publix many times while in the area and yes it is a fantastic store. But many Publix stores are not like that, as I have visited them also. Just recently in Orlando. The difference is the people in the store not the store itself.

For me personally the small Wal-Mart I visit when I go to my daughter's or my mother's is very much like the Watercolor Publix, small, and locally staffed. Much like what KDW described of her Wal-Mart. So its the people running them, that makes the difference.

As to Publix the corporation being above Wal-Mart, not sure about that either.

Hey, Publix, pony up a penny a pound - St. Petersburg Times

Publix in the wrong aisle