Just what we all need.

[KRSESQ]

Businesses that are marginal to begin with, and whose survival depends on being the big dog on the block, will almost certainly be forced out by Walmart. Healthier businesses that offer services and products Walmart can't or won't touch will do well and even thrive despite (or because of) Walmart's influence on the community.

That's not to say I like these damned mega-marts any more than anyone else. When the Supercenter nearest me opens I'll probably be avoiding that part of town like a red-light district, just because of the traffic.

Kevin

[Dr Mordrid]

Check out the latest complex in our area;

On one corner is a 260,000 sq. ft. Meijers and a ton of restaurants & a gas station. Corner #2 is Home Depot, WalMart, Office Max, Michaels (crafts) and more restaurants. On corner #3 is Target, 2 grocery stores, Radio Shack, a bakery, another gas station and about 15 other stores. Corner #4 has a Super K-Mart, a Goodyear shop and ~5 other stores.

Damned intersection needs an air traffic controller

Dr. Mordrid

[Claymonkey]

This is actually one of the reasons I like being back in Boston. I have to go LOOK for these kinds of stores. I still use the Home Depot (with this loft I have to), but when I just stay in the city the small chain generally wins. Though Harvard Square has slowly homogonized over the years.