eloise Gift www.EloiseGift.com
My open house today has been on the market for six months. It is a new, never-lived-in patio home in a still-under-construction, gated community on the edge of a five-year-old established neighborhood of single-family, detached homes. Outside the walls of the community across the street, is a large vacant lot.
As I left the open house, I noticed a van with the name and logo of a local television station parked on the lot. Some cars were also parked there. A few people were standing around. others were leaving. I could guess what was happening.
Yesterday, in preparation for the open house, I walked the neighborhood and listened to several residents who were eager to talk about the new Walmart store that was planned for the vacant lot across the street from my open house. The store would nt be visible from behind the walls of the gated neighborhood. I was surprised by the reaction of several residents of the older neighborhood, whose homes were not at all near the site of the planned store.
During the past year I attended three grand openings of Wal-Mart stores - two big boxes and one neighborhood store. The grand openings were by far the most well attended I had witnessed in the city. On each occasion the mood was festive, employees cheered, and people applauded as group after group went up to receive large Walmart checks to support their charitable work in the community. In every instance, Walmart seemed accepted as a good neighbor. 
Neighborhood fears - From listening to people, i concluded that they felt convinced their neighborhood would be overrun with shoppers flocking to buy at Wal-Mart. They said that their streets would become overcrowded and the noise level in the neighborhood would go up. They feared that the design of the store would detract aesthetically and lower their property values, and they did not like the idea of having lights on all night to accommodate the twenty-four hour business schedule of a large Wal-Mart. Residents said they would not object to a neighborhood store (the Walmart small) with a variety of smaller shops that would serve a variety of needs of the neighborhood.- anything but a big box - the name Walmart has become synonymous with big box
Walmart's success is in itself one of its biggest problems. Residents of the neighborhood are convinced that if Walmart should build it (a big box) they (the people) will come. They envision hordes of shoppers descending upon their little idyll. In addition, our growing awareness of the health of our environment and the need to exercise greater stewardship over our world is a factor in the opposition to the building a big box store. People are saying no to overcrowding, noise, light, and air pollution.
The Wal-Mart issue is forcing the city fathers to reconsider city ordinance that govern the location of big boxes that will not affect only Wal-Mart but all other retail buildings or group of buildings above a number of square footage in size. They are reconsidering the neess of such facilities and their impact on surrounding communities.
Ecological reasons support having shopping close to where people live and work. Wal-Mart's one-stop shop close to a developed subdivision is in one sense friendly to the environment because it supports walking and is less dependent on vehicular traffic for the immediate neighbors, thus reducing fuel consumption, noise and air pollution.
But if no one wants big boxes in their backyard we will all be driving to places far away from home to get our shopping done. One small neighborhood is essentially saying we are not willing to bear the burdens of a big box constructed to meet the needs of a community much larger than ours. We will accept a smaller neighborhood store, but not the big box.
The burden is now on the city councilors of Albuquerque to broker a win-win solution for Wal-Mart and a small subdivision that wants to protect property values and their quality of life and perhaps in so doing, establish once and for all ordinance that will protect everyone.
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Eloise Gift, bilingual, Albuquerque, New Mexico real estate broker helps people realize their real estate dreams - "to go from one little piece of Holy Ground to the next.
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Eloise,
Beautifully written and well put.
Eloise,
Back in January I had posted a blog article on the same subject:
http://activerain.com/blogsview/35228/Big-Box-Stores
Usually the neighborhhod objections have to do with traffic and the 24 hour operations.
As an aside, my sister lives nearby in Corales and my mother moved out there last year.
Eloise great job. Your article made me think of the town I live in, absolutely no big box not even little box. I think the plan is for us to drive ten minutes across the Hudson to the next county and you can find it all; my town sentiment is " not in my backyard."
I see more and more towns are putting regulations in place to limit these so call big boxes. These stores do have a huge impact on a community. I knew of one town where all the small stores on main street went out of business after two big box stores. I was happy to see that after many years that main street is coming back but mostly with restaurants.
We have an old played out mall here in one community in Austin. Walmart has plans to come in and revitalize the mall. The local homeowners assoc. has been fighting it the whole way. they too claim traffic and parking will be a problem. But my question is it was a mall at one time how could walmart by itself create a issue that a mall couldn't handle? I'm all for it as the mall will just continue to deteriorate and Walmart also brings jobs.
We only have one big box. Home Depot. The city circled the wagons after that. The city of Estero has kept the fox out of the henhouse, too.
Great post. We have the exact same issue in my current neighborhood. 1/2 miles east of the residential single family portion of the neighborhood is a WalMart being planned. EVERYONE is up in arms on this. I believe it classic NIMBYism at it's best. I say that because we all have a choice as to where we shop. I've heard the existing WalMart in my town is one of the highest grossing stores in the entire company. Apparantly these same folks fighting it's expansion spend their weekend giving them money.
Hi, Eloise! Our new Walmart is under construction. There's a lot of pros and cons, and everyone has an opinion on it. Some are upset about the traffic that will be and the construction noise that is now, plus worries over our Mom and Pop stores. Others are thrilled that we're growing enough for the need to be here, are pleased about how convenient it will be for residents and are happy about the new jobs. Any way you look at it, it's a big issue. You present a balanced view on a topic I wasn't sure how to handle. A+. :o)
There are arguements for and against the big box stores. But I'd like to see some common sense kick in here. If it's not in my back yard then I have to drive farther. (Not that WalMart or the others asked my opinion) I'd like to see an open space perserved, a park built, a lake developed, 10,000 trees planted for every box store built. See that as win-win?
Laurie- Thank you for your kind comment.
Fred- I read your post. Had I seen it I would have referenced it. I hope AR readers will pick it up. Walmart success has been phenominal, and it appears that in dealing with their success and expansion is going to define how we deal with big boxes. If you ever come out to visit your sister and mom, do look me up. Send them my info. Your sister lives close to me. I used to live across the border from you in Maryland.
Jennifer- It sounds like you leave in Eden. i think that ultimately, retailers give people what they want. It seems they gave them big boxes when the focus groups indicated that people wanted them. It appears they no longer do. As you say, "main street is coming back."
Danny-You see the dilemma. We want to encourage business for economic growth, we want jobs, we want to continue to build and sell homes. I hope the two sides can work together to resolve their differences. It will take making adjustments on both sides. I can think of compromises and adjustments that other communities have made in dealing with similar concerns unrelated to big boxes.
Elizabeth- That's interesting. I think it is ultimately what people in a community want. I think we already said yes to them and that now it is a matter of how to live and let live.
Darren- You said a mouthful.
Sarah-Thank you!
Dena- I wish I could get all the people involved in big box disputes, including the Walmart owners to read all the thoughtful comments written here. Thanks!
Walmart has been trying to open a store in Austin for awhile. Its gotten pretty heated lately. The neighborhood groups are now suing Walmart and the city over not following Austin notification process. I blogged about awhile back over here
<a href="http://www.escapesomewhere.com/austinblog/2007/07/another_lawsuit_is_filed_relat.html">More lawsuits flying in Austin over Walmart</a>
It does seem that communities need to develop business in a way that will limit the amount of driving that people have to do. It would be nice for communities to have everything within walking distance from an area where people are living.
Nice article. Here in Taos we have voted down a "Super Walmart" twice. Big boxes are not popular here and everyone fears it would ruin the rural feel of the town. And Walmart had plans to put it right next to our Visitors Center! Anyway, we still have a very small and outdated Walmart and can drive to Espanola should we feel the need for more shopping. Walmart seems to stir up all the NIMBYs.
The problem with WalMart is that they IMPORT so many things that they sell and price all of the MOM AND POP BUSINESSES right out of business!!!! I can understand why people get upset!
WalMart does nothing to create jobs; sure they employ a staff for the store, but how about all of the small businesses that end up closing because of the new WalMart and all of the jobs lost to people who produce items which are sold...if items are all imported, we sure are not helping our own economy-
Ki, Joan, Susan, Barbara- Emotions do run high where Wal-Mart is concerned and I can understand both sides- the convenience of neighborhood stores and the inconvenience that sometimes caccompanies popular, successful business and attractions too close to home.
In the case of Wal-Mart, their high visibility that resulted from their blessing (business success) seems to have become a curse. People know what to expect. The store will be successful, it will attract people, crowds, high traffic. In addition, success also brought scrutiny to their business practices which some people find questionable.
Since I first published the blog, Wal-Mart decide to walk away from this particular site. The city had promised to buy it as a balloon launching and landing pad but seems to have backed out of the deal since the land became available. It will be interesting to see what eventually happens to the site. I think the residents of the neighborhood were disposed to a small Wal-mart but not the big box.
Perhaps Wal-Mart owners need to listen more. Whatever happened to focus groups?
Thanks for joining the conversation.
Eloise, we have THREE walmarts within 5 miles of each other here. You can literally drive in a circle and go from one to the other. Result, horrendous traffic coming into town from all directions. Not to mention the death of most of our mom and pop businesses. Same thing happened in a town in Nebraka near where I lived. Beautiful little downtown, viable businesses, busy all the time. Walmart built three miles outside the city limits and boom the business district totally died. One town in California voted HELL NO when Walmart tried to force themselves into town. Horray for them. I know this is a sign of the times but to me its a blight on our communities.
Terry,
Even Wal-Mart should have seen the poor planning not only for the community but for themselves of monopolizing the market in the way you describe it. Your city planners seem to have been asleep.
Ultimately, I think, it is a case of people deciding what they really want. California must have offered an alternative to the people who like to shop Wal-Mart style. Otherwise, it will only be a matter of time before they try again or someone else seeks fills the void.
Poor planning by the city here is there motto! You would not believe some of the things they have approved. Right now they're in the process of taking comments about putting in a, excuse me for lack of a better description, a titty bar strip right next to a neighborhood! Call me crazy, but personally I don't see the need for that form of entertainment within town limits. Waaaaaaaaaaay out in the country would be more appropriate!
There have been a couple communties around here that have tried to keep Wal-Mart out and have failed. I guess if they do get into a community that does not want them the only thing you can do if you are Anti-Wal-Mart is to not support them.
I have visions of Black Friday 2 years ago (here in Grand Rapids, MI) where hundreds of people were lined up since late Thanksgiving night outside Wal-Mart's doors for the great bargains. Once the doors were unlocked - it way mayhem. People were being run over by others, ambulances came, lawsuits ensued. And it made national news.
Terry- You may need to find a way to get involved with local planning and development. I bet you find many who share your point of view and would be happy to join with you in seeking more inspired and creative ways to develop your city.
Dan- Ed- Wal-Mart is a success story. They are enjoying the kind of business success that all entrepreneurs are envious of. I, too, would love to have clients trying to break down the door to do business with me. Then, of course, my neighbors would probably get upset and angry, especially if my clients became abusive to one another, and ask me to move my office.
I, too, remember a time when it seemed I was the only person not shopping in Wal-Mart. I was so very curious to find this store that had such great items at such great prices. In those days, the stores, it seemed to me were far away on the edge of civilization, and not being a "shopper" I was not prepared to drive out of my way for the "bargains." There were not near riots then but I have to assume that the store's popularity has grown.
Wal-Mart has probably not dealt with its fame or notoriety well and it may be too late to tidy up an image tarnished by opening day mayhem, etc. Once opened they seem to be staying the course. but they are not winning all the battles to build new stores.
Our community recently had a mini war to keep Wal-Mart out and lost. I'm not a Wal-Mart fan, and certainly not happy about it, but the fact of the matter was we needed more revenue in our small, mostly residential community. My fear is what happens to the bigger and better in years to come when we have a big empty box in our neighborhood?!?!? Supposedly it's going to be the new "up-scale" Wal-Mart, the 2nd of their new line of stores - going to be interesting to say the least!
Quite honestly though, I'm happy for all the new development, because I LOVE convenience in my busy life.
Eloise - you raise some very important issues in your article. The big boxes have done a lot of damage to many of the small businesses and Mom and Pop shops of yesteryear. That is unfortunate. It is nice to go into a store where the shop owner knows you by name.
What irritates me is seeing so many big boxes that have failed or decided their profit margins were too low then leave behind a big ugly building where once there were green trees and grasses. Great thought provoking post!
I have heard from several sources (but not been able to confirm) that Walmart has started laying out their infrastructure and foundation when they build to accommodate retrofitting the Big Boxes in the future to multi-family housing. Supposedly this adds a bit to the upfront costs but long range would be a huge asset if the box becomes obsolete and could then be converted to an affordable housing opportunity. Anyone hear anything like that?
Good luck on stopping them. They seem to be more powerful than the homeowners in the towns I've witnessed this in.
No one that shops at Wallmart should complain about the comoditization of their industry, or the inability to find high quality products or services. Wallmart is way ahead of the competition in the race to the bottom. Take a read on
Thanks but no thanks. The convenience will go as the competition goes. It has already happened in may places. Talk about blight, when the company has drained an area of smaller retail stores, they can close the box, and the shoppers (drones) will migrate to the big box miles away. They no longer have a choice.
Sorry, I better get off of this soapbox before I fall and hurt myself.
Remember the golden rules.
Leigh-You, also are caught up in the dilemma. I think that many people don't weigh the pros and cons. They try to have their cake and eat it too.
Mary-I recall a time when public school buildings were left vacant and ultimately sold and new usese were found for them because our school age population decreased. I also recall when several large department stores closed on the east coast. The talk was that consumers preferred to shop in small boutiques. Some of these large stores reopened and still coexist with boutique type stores. I guess what I am trying to say is that this phenomenon is not new. It has happened before. If your prediction is right there will probably be eyesores of abandoned big boxes for a while, Then they will be recycled and everyone will forget.
Cheri- I think people show power in the way they spend their money. Don't you?
NinaGail-I had heard of that contingency. It will certainly be interesting to see how the Wal-Mart evolves. If your rumour turns out to be true, some people may in the long run be sorry they did not let the store in their neighborhood. Talk about long-range planning!
Michael- As the saying goes, cream will always rise to the top and I will always support diversity. It is wonderful to have choices. I think the Wal-Mart phenomenon is as mystifying as the growth and proliferation of Starbucks coffee shops, but I haven't heard any complaints about Starbucks lately.
Hi Eloise: Yes, the noise is an issue, the traffic can be a problem, and then there is the "gangly ugliness" of a Wal-Mart store. But, for me, especially in a small town environment, it is the disappearance of the "Mom and Pop" stores that I find most bothersome.
Small stores like that, especially if they have some "character" about them, add so very much to the hominess of a small town's atmosphere. What is the answer... I really do not know. I just feel so badly when some of the small shops, and the folks who have put so much of themselves into their shops... disappear like so many wonderful things that have faded into the past... just so a big box store jammed full of cheap products from CHINA can be available. Yuk ! Thanks for the great post.
Karen,
I think so very many people feel have the nostalgia for mom and pop stores that I think in some ares smart developers are attempting to recreate the feeling of those times. I have actually seen new developments evoking the feel of the old town square with homes built above the shops. A lot of sustainability talk is essentially about that also, work where you live. One development just starting in Albuquerque, New Mexico is Mesa del Sol.
Can Wal-Mart recreate itself to fit into such a scheme now that the tide seems to be changing? Or is it? Despite objections, people are still flocking to the stores to buy. Michael, above, said shopper will drive miles to get to a Wal-Mart. Perhaps Wal-Mart could learn something from this observation.
Well Eloise: I just wish something could be done. I have seen many communities that have really been hurt by a Wal-Mart moving in. Mesa del Sol sounds like it will be nice. Can you send me any pictures of it. Or... perhaps that would be a good idea for your next blog post ?
Karen- If I met the challenge of inserting the links, you will be able to read two articles I wrote on Mesa del Sol. It is perhaps time to give an update. You will notice they do have some different kinds of big boxes that seem to be currently acceptable. Albuquerque studios is complete and hiring, last I heard. Update coming up soon.
mesa del sol: Want to settle in a sun-filled spot? -
i just read a Wall Street Journal article on MSN Money. Sadly, it read like an obituary. Here is a quote from the article. Referring to Wal-Mart, the writer said,
Over time, it also accelerated the drive to manufacture products in Asia, drove countless small shops out of business and sped the decline of Main Street. Those changes are permanent.
Several of our comments here on Active Rain expressed the above sentiments.
I have been hoping that the owners of Wal-Mart were listening, and would make changes. According to the writer and some of our comment writers, the Wal-Mart business practices have done permanent damage.
Death or the prospect of death saddens me. I prefer evolution and change. Reincarnation would be nice, too.
Eloise: I echo the "beautifully written" comments. Congratulations. In terms of the debate, I'll get on the see saw with everyone.
Economic growth is important for our hungry US economy, which is quickly being eaten alive by other economies in the world. We just don't know it yet. And, yes, the homes in the area might benefit from having stores within "walking distance", but how many of us will walk anywhere with a cart full of stuff. Milk, boots, and anti-freeze are heavy.
These large stores kill the small town businesses. The butcher, baker, and candlestick maker haven't a prayer once the trees have been bulldozed. That makes me sad. And those folks who live within "walking distance" will be burdened by increased temperatures from acres of asphalt, squinting from mercury=vapor lights on stories-high poles, and thwarted by an endless stream of retail-hour traffic.
I think I'll find another piece of equipment to play on now. But the see saw's been fun. Thanks.
Cheers! (I think) from DC...
Jaynee
Jaynee- Thanks for playing. As a kid, I loved playing on the seesaw. Sadly, it is one of the pieces of equipment that was banned from playgrounds a few years ago as being unsafe.
Eloise: Actually... living one's daily life... can be "unsafe." I wonder how long it will take "them" to restrict that, too ?
Karen Anne-My thoughts are that it happens by taking away our toys and playground equipment one piece at a time, but we won't go there. Not here, not now.