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

[Susan Horn]

I know. I just wonder how it got this way; and who has the ability to think of another way to make our economy work--IMO, if we just go back to the way it was, with people buying up stuff whether they need it or, it's only a matter of time before we are right back where we are now.

It seems we need a sea-change in the way we do things--we need new ideas, new products, new jobs, etc. Surely, somewhere there is a person with an idea that will revolutionize things....

There are lots of folks doing just that, for example:

http://www.ted.com/speakers/william_mcdonough.html

Jay Harman and his team at PAX Scientific are doing amazing stuff too, that fits your wish list (and mine).

Jay Harman Video

 

[happy2Bme]

Isn't it ironic that the masses near and far are in an uproar over one big box vendor coming to town and ruining the natural aesthetic of the area, but nobody was saying anything when (during the "boom") plenty of flora and fauna was decimated to make way for a sea of (still vacant) high-end "subdivisions"? I guess it has more to do with the fact that this change costs money, where the other made a ton of unjustifiable money for a few. Change is enevitable; some will be happy, some will be PO'd. Maybe we should go back to a topic with real impact to locals and visitors alike....how to rid our beaches of cigarette butts, pull tabs, and the general trash that gets left behind.

 

[NotDeadYet]

but nobody was saying anything when (during the "boom") plenty of flora and fauna was decimated to make way for a sea of (still vacant) high-end "subdivisions"?

And you were where during that boom? Obviously not at the many long planning and bcc meetings where those developments were approved. If you had been there, you could never make such a statement. Many, many people objected, often late into the night. I can't think of a single large project that went through unopposed. The fact that most of them were eventually approved speaks to the county leadership, not to some imagined lack of opposition.

 

[Gidget]

Chandra brought up something - do we want the area of 98 where Walmart is proposed to be built to look like any other strip in America? That's a very good point. I like the uniqueness of the area. At least it isn't 30A that is the proposed site though! I feel that the Walmart in Destin is enough for the area though.

Here's my experience with Walmart and my history and thoughts on the subject for whatever it's worth. Where I came from I shopped at Walmart. I mean where else in that rural area of Louisiana would I have been able to get organic apples, dates, lettuces, tofu, organic brown rice, etc.... that was my only source. I don't buy very much in the way of packaged processed foods so I mostly shopped my local produce stand, when they had anything, grew what I could, and Walmart. I also shopped on-line for certain food items - organic dried coconut, hemp seed, etc... I befriended many of the ladies that worked at Walmart and I asked them about their experiences working there. They LOVED it!! They had decent pay AND benefits and stock options. And Walmart was the first store I'd been in who had the cloth bags for sale which I bought and use faithfully everywhere. I do not impulse buy - I basically shop on 2 or 3 aisles - when you eat a mostly vegan diet, watch your consumption closely when it comes to "stuff" then it is easy to stick to the plan. Address your philosophy about consumption prior to trips to any store including the swanky boutiques in the area. ;-) (see below)

I preach that if one eats animals then one should shop at places where he or she can purchase those not raised in factory farms - but tell that to the family on a budget. Are they likely, after a hard day at work with kids in tow, to drive out of their way to get meat raised like that at triple the price or pick up the chicken at Walmart? Their reality is their budget and time. But in the future I see more and more of this type of food coming to Walmart. Even in the film Food Inc they showed a producer of organic yogurt selling his wares to Walmart - among much ridicule from many of his peers I might add. But he sees this as a way to bring better products to all at a REASONABLE price which is the bottom line for MANY.

I love Publix and am happy I now have a choice when it comes to shopping. (I prefer stores that do not employ baggers though - I can bag my own groceries and it would cut costs) They have a natural foods section that some could say bites into the livelihood at FTHOI, but no one has said much about that. I love shopping at FTHOI also, but not for everything obviously, but everytime I go in there I just love the experience! And we aren't even in our house, yet I had a huge salad from our lettuce we grew and last night a big pot of collards from same - so we are getting back in the homegrown mode I also shop from Craigslist, eBay and Amazon used which is great - you can get many things second hand that might otherwise end up in a landfill. (I also sell on those sites as well)

Bottom line is for us to question our practices when it comes to any purchases. If you choose to not frequent Walmart as a stand then I applaud you and totally get you!! If you shop at Walmart for items that are needed (like toilet paper, and toothpaste and a rice steamer perhaps) AND purchase items you want to see them restock, like organic oranges, then I get you too I don't think we can judge others when it comes to reasons for or against as no one else can really walk in anyone's shoes - one family may not have to worry at all about a budget while the person down the street can't sleep for worry. And budget for many takes top priority.

Below is good info to remember wherever we shop and whoever we are:

Globally, the 20% of the world’s people in the highest-income countries account for 86% of total private consumption expenditures — the poorest 20% a minuscule 1.3%. More specifically, the richest fifth:

• Consume 45% of all meat and fish, the poorest fifth 5%
• Consume 58% of total energy, the poorest fifth less than 4%
• Have 74% of all telephone lines, the poorest fifth 1.5%
• Consume 84% of all paper, the poorest fifth 1.1%
• Own 87% of the world’s vehicle fleet, the poorest fifth less than 1%

We need to shop with a conscience. About 80% of all saleable products end up as waste, on average, within just 6 months. How we buy will influence directly what we buy so it is important to think about the way we spend money. Is the purchase based on need, importance, urgency, or impulse? Do I really need this? How much is enough? Can it be borrowed? Make a preferred shopping list and keep to it. By planning ahead and anticipating the goods and services we will need - rather than making impulse buys - we give ourselves more time to find the most socially and environmentally responsible alternatives.

See you in the stores, and wherever you shop do bring your bags!

G

 

[Gidget]

Good grief was my post that long?? And that was without caffeine lol!

Have a good day!

G

 

[happy2Bme]

78,000 sf Walmart coming to SoWal

And you were where during that boom? Obviously not at the many long planning and bcc meetings where those developments were approved. If you had been there, you could never make such a statement. Many, many people objected, often late into the night. I can't think of a single large project that went through unopposed. The fact that most of them were eventually approved speaks to the county leadership, not to some imagined lack of opposition.

I'm right here, all day, every day. I've attended many planning meetings in my nearly 12 years here....the usual "many" that you speak of is, at best a "few", and not representative of the masses I spoke of. If there was a true outcry, there'd be SIGNIFICANTLY more attendance at the BCC and DRB meetings. There's not, so my point stands.

 

[Teresa]

Good grief was my post that long?? And that was without caffeine lol!

Have a good day!

G

yes it was that long and it was perfectly stated. thank you very much for your insightful post. I enjoyed reading every word.

I'm right here, all day, every day. I've attended many planning meetings in my nearly 12 years here....the usual "many" that you speak of is, at best a "few", and not representative of the masses I spoke of. If there was a true outcry, there'd be SIGNIFICANTLY more attendance at the BCC and DRB meetings. There's not, so my point stands.

I get your point happy2bme, and you have a good one. most of us benefited from the growth for several booming years. however, I also feel that our little community is filled with well educated folks from all over the place, bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge. Most of the SoWal residents I have ever known are quite concerned with growth and have participated in many forums to help shape development and growth in Walton County - particularly South Walton. Thanks to SWCC, Beach to Bay Alliance and many other groups and active individuals throughout the community who expect responsible growth in this special place, and they work to help make it happen.

Even the folks on this forum stood up against the unsightly 30A location signs and made change happen. That was no small thing and is only one example of the passion of residents around here.

I believe even during the big boom most of us would still object to having a walmart in SoWal. It just seems completely out of place. It is change, and we resist. It may end up being a good thing in the end.

we drove by the new Publix on 98 last night and the parking lot was completely lit up like day time. I've shopped there many times during the day. It was much more shocking to me to see that development on 98 at night time. It stood out in the blackness of a long stretch of 98. It is a sign of things to come. and I love my Publix - both at WaterColor and Hwy 98. I also love my night time sky filled with endless stars. light pollution will eventually take away the beauty of the night sky and that is only one reason why change is hard to accept sometimes.

 

[happy2Bme]

Thanks for understanding where I was coming from.

 

[bentley williams]

Walmart is as Walmart does. I have my own beliefs about Walmart which is irrelevant, they are here and they are here to stay (look for one in Freeport sooner rather than later).

They are surely being subsidized by St. Joe in one way or another. St. Joe (and gov't. partners) causes infrastructure to happen - roads, schools, hospitals, airports, and commercial - including Walmart. St. Joe brought Publix to SoWal - hello! Ring a bell anyone?

The issue is what their entry into our market means. It means continued development. It means critical mass. It means the type of commercial development residents and visitors don't want here but they are going to get whether they like it or not. And in a few years they will mostly all be shopping and eating at chains whether they like it or not. When it all comes down to it we are the cattle and St. Joe and other corporations are holding the prod.

When the new airport expressway is complete, along with a new 331 bridge and 4-lane all the way to I-10 and points north ( and many other roads planned in the area), you won't even recognize this place. It will be one city from the gulf to I-10, from Pensacola to Panama City. The idea of a quaint SoWal will be just that - quaint.

Except for Scenic 30A. It will be built out and crowded sure, but it will still be beautiful and even more coveted, and even more exclusive - a playground for the rich. Lots, homes and condos will be worth 10 times what they are now. If you pull your head out of the national news for a second and look what's happening here you will see that. SoWal is still in a bubble, not a real estate bubble like we just had, but a bubble for the rich, a bubble for tourists, a bubble apart from the real world - just like Truman's. Some unique and popular places are not really hurt in the long run - Malibu, Martha's Vineyard, Sea Island, SoWal - get used to it.

I am not a realtor, developer, builder, lender, etc., just an observer of growth all over Florida and other hot spots around the world. The "bubble" affected this area but in the long view, it is all really all just starting here. We are on the map now, the world is coming.

Yes - now is a great time to buy.

 

[LuciferSam]

Typical growth cycle:

The Same Mistake - Clips - South Park Studios