The Wal-Mart that never opened

A While ago my wifeposted about the arrival of the new Wal-Mart to Avon Park. She commented about how it is going to have an effect on our community. I agree that just the presence of a Wal-Mart in any community will have an effect on property prices. We always see the same businesses buying up property as close to Wal-Mart as possible. Many people I have talked to have also applied for employment with the big retailer.

This Wal-Mart in particular has been dubbed as "The Wal-Mart that never opened" by my lovely wife. She says we will all see it on 60 minutes some day. As far back as three years ago, I remember my customers from my previous business commenting about their plans for employment or home sales or buying property when the mega mart opens. I can remember as many as three headlines in the local newspaper announcing when the doors for the new location would open. There have been rumors of costs for opening being too high to disputes with the city about who would pay for the new stop lights at the entrance to the parking lot.

Many local business owners I have spoken with have told me that it will bring new business for them by drawing consumers from the outside communities to spend their dollars in our economy to fearing that the giant superstore will definitely finish what is remaining of the local mom and pop stores on Main Street.

Since the location is just a two minute drive for us as opposed to 20 minutes to Sebring, I know that we will definately be doing most of our grocery shopping there. I wonder what will become of Publix and Winn-Dixie, and Save-A-Lot, the only other grocery stores in Avon Park.

My personal opinion is that this new location will help our property values in the long run and hopefully some commercial sales in the near future for all the followers of the super store chain.