Walmart - Good or Bad? (Chicago, Humboldt: groceries, store, buses)

[Jandur]

Originally Posted by HumboldtParkShiner

Look, the fact of the matter is is that a majority of Chicago relies and is dependent on big box department stores, and yes that includes both Lincoln Park yuppies and people in middle/lower classes alike. Please give me the name of five "mom and pop" stores that remain on the north side that you would even blink an eye at if they were to just disappear one day. Now compare that with the Target on Elston or the Best Buy on North Ave for instance, and just imagine what the difference would be. Though 21 stores is ridiculous, the presence of Wal-Mart won't change anything in Chicago. If anything, it'll just bring more jobs to the city that local places like Dominicks and Jewel refuse to give out. Good riddance if you ask me.

As a "Lincoln Park yuppie" I can't really name 5 places I would die without. The Marketplace maybe. Personally I never go to Target, Best Buy, Jewel or whatever but thats just because I don't shop a ton.

Walmart does tend to kill off small shops, but thats really your/our fault. I don't think it will drastically change anything long term. It will take business away from a few places but it isn't going to destroy the fabric of established communities.

[DANNYY]

Originally Posted by nature's message

Walmart Defeats Chicago, Plans To Open Up To 21 Stores - The Consumerist

Tell me the name of the person that wrote this article, I need to pay this guy a visit. Who the hell does he think he is to generalize a whole city and making it look "desperate" for his crummy 3rd rate article?

[Chi-town Native]

Originally Posted by HumboldtParkShiner

Look, the fact of the matter is is that a majority of Chicago relies and is dependent on big box department stores, and yes that includes both Lincoln Park yuppies and people in middle/lower classes alike. Please give me the name of five "mom and pop" stores that remain on the north side that you would even blink an eye at if they were to just disappear one day. Now compare that with the Target on Elston or the Best Buy on North Ave for instance, and just imagine what the difference would be. Though 21 stores is ridiculous, the presence of Wal-Mart won't change anything in Chicago. If anything, it'll just bring more jobs to the city that local places like Dominicks and Jewel refuse to give out. Good riddance if you ask me.

There is nothing those big box stores sell that you can't get on the Internet, and not being gouged for taxes usually cancels out shipping (or you come out ahead on the Net).

The only thing those stores offer you can't really get on the Net is food - which is what Jewel, Dominick's, Aldi's, etc. offer.

[Chi-town Native]

btw, there will be nothing written in stone regarding job creation:

http://www.newrules.org/sites/newrul..._wm_vacant.jpg

[doublenickels]

Any guestimates on what (future) walmart at 111th and Bishop Ford X-way, will do to home values in surrounding, nearby areas? (South Chicago, Calumet Heights etc. Six minutes away, by car)

[surlycue]

Who wouldn't want to live near such a remarkable amenity?

[Avengerfire]

I do not see how it could go anywhere but up.

[Humboldt1]

I agree with Avengerfire but you also need to realize that those areas are in long-term economic decline whether or not walmart and a few other big box retail outfits come in. Not much upside for those areas.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by doublenickels

Any guestimates on what (future) walmart at 111th and Bishop Ford X-way, will do to home values in surrounding, nearby areas? (South Chicago, Calumet Heights etc. Six minutes away, by car)

Not much.

[Avengerfire]

There will be a Walmart job fair on Friday, July 23.

Walmart Seeks New Workers Through Job Fair - Chicago News (http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/metro/walmart-seeks-new-workers-through-job-fair-20100722 - broken link)