The Roanoke Times: The Storefront

Comments

# 1

[September 9, 2008 12:29 PM]

Heather Froeschl

With it being so close in, would they be closing up the Walmart at Hunting Hills? Just doesn't seem feasible that both could survive. While I do love Walmart in Rocky Mount, putting one right up near the parkway just isn't right.

# 2

[September 9, 2008 1:48 PM]

Mike D

NO! NO! NO! We do not need another Wal-mart supercenter!!!! I like that Walmart just the way it is. You can normally get in get what you want and get out. We already have three. They will not be happy until every tree is cut down and every stretch of land is developed. We have enough stores of any kind. You can't get anywhere in this town fast because there are so many stores all over the place and they have to keep putting in more stop lights. Enough is enough. Just how many more do we need. With the down turn in the economy I ask WHY KEEP BUILDING. There are stores closing all the time. Why keep building more? Why Why Why? Please stop the insanity!!!!

# 3

[September 9, 2008 2:10 PM]

Greg

I agree with Heather. That close to the parkway is no place for a Walmart.

Now an overpriced car dealership that only 2% of the valley's population is allowed to step on the property is a great fit for land close to the parkway.

OK if you didn't get it I'm being sarcastic. The Walmart has no more effect on the parkway than the Hammersley group dealership.

# 4

[September 9, 2008 2:32 PM]

Rich

I'm all for it. Yah capitalism! Yah Wal*Marx. We need to keep them containers full of Chinese Waffle flippers coming!

The parkway is just gov't pork anyway. The money used to maintain it could be better spent defending our borders or buying more waffle flippers from China!

# 5

[September 9, 2008 2:58 PM]

Rigby

WalMart laughs at your puny pleas not to build.

They know how to smooth things over (think - $$$$$$$$$$$$$) with the powers that be in local government.
More people need to make themsleves heard to those people.
A lot more people!
Cause it's hard to hear the little people when you're flipping that stack of $100's so close to your ear.

# 6

[September 10, 2008 3:04 PM]

Jerry

What about the safety of the kids at Clearbrook Elementary? I guess the county won't be happy until someone's son or daughter is hurt by the increased traffic to this area.

# 7

[September 10, 2008 5:28 PM]

Love NRV

Hey - why are we worrying about WalMart when we've got Palin 'gunning for you!'. Get them babies born and hand them a gun as they fly out of the womb! America the Stupid!

# 8

[September 10, 2008 7:19 PM]

Other John

I just have to ask...how many of the Clearbrook Elementary kids are actually crossing US 220 now to the area where the Wal-Mart was proposed? My guess is nill, given the high traffic volumes already there. Also consider this: when the new Wal-mart is built, it's existing traffic will just shift to the new site, not simply add to the existing traffic. So, while there will be some increase in traffic, it won;t be that high since many drivers on 220 are already going to or coming from the older Wal-Mart. And besides, I really think that having the Elementary school along US 220 poses a far greater threat to kids safety than a Wal-Mart being near it...if you really want to debate that point.

# 9

[September 10, 2008 7:53 PM]

Jonathan Brown

There are many retail establishments near or next to a school throught the United States. Not to mention many public roads that are busy. Everyone has to bit** and moan. Thats the problem somewhat with attracting new businesses in the Valley because everyone wants to fight. No one is willing to compromise. Its always the mentality of "my way only or the highway." As always Rich is right in his posting. I am all for it.

# 10

[September 11, 2008 1:26 PM]

Greg

It's the same old thing everywhere you turn. Everybody wants new business they just don't want it on their street.

Look at the Bonsack Walmart. The people in Bonsack protested until they were blue in the face but the day Walmart opened the local residents were the first ones in line.

People of Bonsak can deny it if they want, but that store opened in the middle of the day in the middle of the week. I don't think too many people in the city were taking the day off to go to a Walmart opening. Unless of course they were giving away free chicken right Jenny? :-)

# 11

[September 11, 2008 11:19 PM]

Mike D

OK I have to agree with Other John. You have about the most intelligent comment here. The road is already busy with people driving at least 10 mph over. But it is an Elementary school so they shouldn't be walking anyway as they are too young. So that augment is pointless. But where does this attracting new businesses come from? Walmart is not new here. We already have four. No where else have I been and seen so many so close together. And it's not a "not in my back yard" thing as I see it. It's a do we need another one. You talk about these new businesses. Well there are new ones all over and they don't get supported and fail. Just look at Jenny's blog here and you will see. Drive around and you will see empty stores sitting all over. Some for years. How long has that Winn-Dixe been sitting vacant that they built new on Plantation rd? There also the Right Ade in Vinton that has been sitting empty for almost 10 years. It's just build,build, build! Look at what has happened to Bedford. It use to be a quiet little town that you could enjoy living in. One of the few places that a Mom and Pop store could still survive. Now they are starting to look like Roanoke with crime and drugs. Look at Westlake. Ten years ago it was a just a spot in the road. Now you have the huge shopping center. Can't even enjoy a drive in the country anymore.

# 12

[September 15, 2008 11:38 AM]

Greg

Mike D I agree with you on the overbuild situation but the Walmart on 220 is meant to replace the existing one. Even Walmart is dumb enough to have two stores within a mile of each other. Of course nobody appears to mind the 2 Krogers on 221 that are less than a mile apart.

Also on the Winn Dixie on plantation road, there were several interested parties wanting to open a grocery store in that building just after Winn Dixie closed. Winn Dixie would not allow a grocery store to come in there at the time because it was competition. How dumb is that? They would rather own an empty building that to let a competitor have buy the property.

# 13

[September 27, 2008 7:08 PM]

jerry

I don't necessarily mean the increased car traffic, but people in that area. Have any of you ever read about the Valley View Wal Mart. Car Jackings, muggings, other violence. Is that really what we need to attract across from this school? I bet you guys don't even have kids in school. There is enough chance for violence without adding this to it.

# 14

[September 28, 2008 8:55 AM]

Mike D

Jerry that's why the Valley View location has been nicknamed "Geto-mart" Far as I know no other Wal-mart in the area has those problems to that extent. It maybe due in part to the mall and all the shops around it. It might just be it's location. Don't know. They said they axed the idea because of the economy then turn right around and decide to build. Don't think they will be happy until there are no trees and no grass and we all live in apartments because they have bought up all the land. Start a partition I'll gladly sign. Keep out country country. Again NO NEW WAL-MART!!

Greg there are two Kroger's that close because one was a Harris Teeter that was built new a few years before they both made a deal to trade store in Va and Nc from that I understand. I worked there when it opened. Still silly to have two so close.

# 15

[September 28, 2008 5:28 PM]

Tommy Burper

I'm looking forward to the new Super Wal-Mart opening on US 220. The old Wal-mart is simply to small to carry the items people want from a Wal-MArt today. I'm looking forward to the expanded selection just so I WONT have to drive all the way across town to get the things I want.

# 16

[September 29, 2008 9:00 AM]

Linda

Is there any reasonw hy they are building so many uper Wal-Marts but there are no Super Target's? I am a native of Roanoke now living in the Carolina's and it just seems that Wal-Marts are coming up left & right back in VA but the convenience & style of Super Target's are being overlooked.....

# 17

[September 29, 2008 7:25 PM]

Love NRV

I'm sorry to say that Wal Mart is building everywhere because they know most of you will shop there.. You might complain about it. You might not like the 'idea' of it - but the fact is they make money hand over fist on merchandise that's cheaper than it is elsewhere. You want Wal Mart out? Then you speak with your wallet. That is the only way it will ever change. You like the 'idea' of mom + pop shops? Then you be willing to pay 10 cents more for windex...that's all it is. You have to change your habit. You made the situation what it is. For better or worse.

# 18

[October 4, 2008 7:32 PM]

jerry

The fact of the matter is the people that will profit the most want this Wal-Mart built there. They will be moved on while the stabbings and car jackings happen, but not in their new back yard.... Should we be trying to make schools safer instead of making circumstances that have proven to make it worse?
I just hope the kids will be safe so that consumers can get cheap toilet paper.