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

[jpbhen]

Walmart shops local retailers. So does Target, CVS, Walgreens, Staples, all of them I'm sure they're already comp shopping even the tiny retailers there.

We have a supermarket up here, Wegmans. Wegmans is the ultimate grocery store and makes the nicest Publix look like a Piggly Wiggly. I love Wegmans. I was thrilled when we found out they were coming near here. The store that opened near me is so wonderful! And along with them moving in came a lot more work for me.

Last week I went in (to work) at a local competitor of the Wegmans, about 5 miles away from them. It used to be a lovely mid-sized family-owned grocery chain. When I needed specialty cheeses or bread, that's where I went. When I went in, I was shocked. I hadn't been in for awhile -- I've been going to Wegmans...... Half empty shelves, water loaded up in the dairy section instead of milk, registers that were dismantled. You could feel the depressing death of this store and you could see it on every employee's face. No more flower department. No more cheese case.

I did my work and before I left I asked the woman at customer service if they were closing. She nearly cried. Seriously, she got all teary-eyed. "26 years in this store and look at it now. Wegmans put the nail in our coffin. We haven't gotten the formal notice but when they deliver the big boxes to the back room, you know you're done."

I just saw in the local paper that they are closing February 1st. The 3rd local supermarket to close its doors since Wegmans opened......

She was so sad, and then I got all choked up. This store was so lovely, the people were always so nice. Everybody loved them for their upscale cheeses, flowers, etc. And now the huge superstore Wegmans ate them. Literally, took all their jobs and ate them.

And down will come the bookstore that was next door with the amazing cookbook selection, because next month Barnes and Noble is opening -- next to Wegmans. And then goes the little pet store who makes homebaked doggy biscuits, because PetSmart is next to Barnes and Noble.

So I am sure that within 2 years, this mall will be an emtpy eyesore with just a dollar store, a chinese restaurant and a a bunch of empty stores that nobody will ever open in again, in what was once a cute little country town shopping center. But Wegmans is 10 times bigger, with 10 times the selection and smiling happy employees with Wegmans polo shirts giving customers samples of cheese to try, then buy and put into their cutesy cloth Wegmans shopping bags.

Now I really see Wegmans in a different light, beause of this lady. Yet, after I left her store, I went to Wegmans for lunch, because they have a kickass salad bar with a huge selection.

sounds reminiscent of "you've got mail"/"little shop around the corner". it was ever thus.

 

[scooterbug44]

They can build millions of square feet of ugly cut rate retail - doesn't mean I will shop there.

Stores don't fail because another one is built nearby. Stores fail because their regular customers stop spending money there.

I understand being on a budget (I'm scotch-german FTLOC and I was officially "poor" based on my earnings this past year), I understand convenience (which is why I hate the giant stores w/ bad products and lack of staff), and I understand the effect my dollars have.....................which is why I know exactly what my dollars are buying and the true cost of these damn stores.

We bemoan the fact that there are no American manufacturing jobs - as we load our carts w/ cheap products made in sweatshops and unhealthy conditions in China, Asian, and Central and South America.

We wonder why our health declines and our food loses flavor amid recalls and the losses of hundreds of American farms everyday............because of products, prices, (unhealthy) methods, and labels (full of lies) dictated by major retailers.

We rail against government waste and taxpayer dollars being wasted - as big box stores cost us billions every year because we pay for their employees' medical care, food stamps, and tax rebates.

These products aren't cheap because they are a good deal, these products are cheap because of what is not included in the price.

Just as the free-range chicken you buy at Wal-mart has never been outside (yet they are in full accordance w/ the labeling laws they helped write), and the "Angus" burgers at McDonalds only have to contain 20% Angus beef, there is a lot more going on that many are unaware of.

It isn't just about a box store versus a local specialty store, it's about the values we hold dear and what we truly want for ourselves, our families, and our country's future.

I think that's worth a couple cents in the unit price.

 

[poppy]

I promise I will pretend to not see your guilt as you shop in Walmart while we both exercise our freedom to choose where we spend our income.

 

[nodilberthere]

sounds reminiscent of "you've got mail"/"little shop around the corner". it was ever thus.

It really is. I forgot to mention that in the bookstore they put out big bowls of pizza goldfish crackers in their little seating nooks, just like in a bar. I know I'll never get goldfish in a Barnes and Noble.

 

[Just Curious]

FYI This issue is coming before the Design Review Board on Thursday 7th at 5:00 at the SW Courthouse Annex.

 

[miznotebook]

FYI This issue is coming before the Design Review Board on Thursday 7th at 5:00 at the SW Courthouse Annex.

This is supposed to be the last public hearing on the Walmart, but it's my understanding that the board discussion/action will only be regarding the lettering and logo on the front of the building. This is according to the county planner assigned to the project.

 

[Teresa]

They can build millions of square feet of ugly cut rate retail - doesn't mean I will shop there.

Stores don't fail because another one is built nearby. Stores fail because their regular customers stop spending money there.

I understand being on a budget (I'm scotch-german FTLOC and I was officially "poor" based on my earnings this past year), I understand convenience (which is why I hate the giant stores w/ bad products and lack of staff), and I understand the effect my dollars have.....................which is why I know exactly what my dollars are buying and the true cost of these damn stores.

We bemoan the fact that there are no American manufacturing jobs - as we load our carts w/ cheap products made in sweatshops and unhealthy conditions in China, Asian, and Central and South America.

We wonder why our health declines and our food loses flavor amid recalls and the losses of hundreds of American farms everyday............because of products, prices, (unhealthy) methods, and labels (full of lies) dictated by major retailers.

We rail against government waste and taxpayer dollars being wasted - as big box stores cost us billions every year because we pay for their employees' medical care, food stamps, and tax rebates.

These products aren't cheap because they are a good deal, these products are cheap because of what is not included in the price.

Just as the free-range chicken you buy at Wal-mart has never been outside (yet they are in full accordance w/ the labeling laws they helped write), and the "Angus" burgers at McDonalds only have to contain 20% Angus beef, there is a lot more going on that many are unaware of.

It isn't just about a box store versus a local specialty store, it's about the values we hold dear and what we truly want for ourselves, our families, and our country's future.

I think that's worth a couple cents in the unit price.

awesome points scooterB.

not sure why but most americans choose not to think of any of the above - and you just scratched the surface on how low low prices really cost all of us. regardless of where we choose to shop. we just choose not to know or listen or care about these things. the information has been put out there for years. how many people have you ever heard say they listened or care? almost none.

its called denial. our consumer culture is based on consuming mass quantities of stuff at the lowest prices possible - that way we can consume more stuff... some folks may really not know the "cost" of low low walmart prices but most do. how could they not? denial.

 

[30A Skunkape]

I shop Wal-Mart with pride because I know my dollars are keeping third world kids out of the sexploitation industry. The beauty of a sweatshop is in the eye of the beholder. Before someone attacks me, research my point...

 

[Andy A]

I've stayed out of this debate because of the distortions expressed by both sides but SB44's last post and Tootsie's response has finally brought me in.
There are plenty of people in this country who cannot afford to shop the elite shops of Seaside and Rosemary Beach, not to mention For the Health of It in Blue Mt. Beach. These are the people for which WalMart is a godsend. I could tell you a personal story of a WalMart manager who personally took me to another establishment to procure a part just because his employee "might" have screwed up. This is the only corporation that has even come close to this kind of response to a complaint from me.
On the subject of design and architecture. In my former residence of Edmond, OK, WalMart built a new facility with cooperation of the city council. It was beige in color, a beautifully designed facility with a tree lined divided approach leading into it. It showed what can be done when a community works with a provider to accomplish what they desire to be done instead of inserting roadblocks at every opportunity.
Another point. At one juncture on this forum, I brought forth the fact that in 2007, WalMart donated over 400 million to charities. It was immediately irrespectfully blown offwith some inane comments by another poster.
I could go on by googling everything good about WalMart but I consider that unproductive as you can do it as well as I can. You can also google the bad and how badly WalMart treats its employees on any number of biased union friendly sites. By now, I'm sure you get my drift.
If 30ASkunkape was sincere in his post, and I feel he is, I second his "I shop WalMart with pride". I do as well as it is the epitome of what can be accomplished by one individual using the capitalist system as it was designed to be used.

 

[scooterbug44]

I am not telling you that you can't shop there, I just want you to be fully aware of the effect your shopping there has.

Shopping dollars that allow child slavery instead of child sex slavery isn't a big incentive for me to "shop Wal-mart with pride" - I'd rather support US companies and producers and local businesses to keep our economy strong.

Yes, Wal-mart donates to charity. And it is a tiny fraction of what other companies donate and a drop in the bucket compared to the taxpayer money they siphon off in order to bring you those low, low prices.