Comments on: Wal-Mart Plans To Open in Redeveloped Suburban Plaza

By: Medlock Neighbor

Medlock Neighbor — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 16:02:50 +0000

There are two neighborhoods directly behind Suburban Plaza, Medlock Place and Medlock Commons. I live right behind the bowling alley. I adamantly oppose Wal Mart going in right in my back yard. The construction noise, delivery trucks and traffic would be a nightmare. No thank you!!! I don’t shop at Wal Mart. I don’t care about their cheap products at cheap prices.

By: Robert

Robert — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 02:30:14 +0000

I’m no fan of Wal Mart. In fact, I hate the company. However, Suburban Plaza is a deteriorating eye sore. Let’s be real. Who else is going to put anything there in this economy except another junky thrift store? Even when the economy was doing ok, no real quality places located there. I never could figure out why given the demographics of the area – fairly high income, relatively stable populatioln, and in between downtown Decatur and Emory. However, in the absence of anyone else putting anything decent there, a Wal Mart would not be a bad choice. Beats an empty parking lot with vacant buildings.

By: Margaret

Margaret — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 01:32:46 +0000

I agree with what you wrote. I read the article you linked and have mixed feelings. I know many people who live in that neighborhood, who are older and on fixed incomes. They also have trouble with mobillity, and walking across the street for groceries and some basic items, as well as an affordable price would really help them. I also have wished for something less of an eyesore in the neighborhood.
I also worked for Wal-mart as a teenager, and to pay for college and can say I am just not convinced they care about their people or helping communities.
But what I think most is, that plaza needs something in it. Too many vacant businesses already as you go down Lawrenceville highway.

By: Wal-tart

Wal-tart — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 16:46:53 +0000

A bit more information on the new small store format.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43414111/ns/business-consumer_news/

By: Misha

Misha — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 16:30:58 +0000

There was also a really interesting Frontline about Wal-Mart: “Is Wal-Mart good for America?” They show the ways in which Wal-Mart bullies manufacturers into providing products at ever-cheaper prices, to the point where they’re either forced to find cheaper labor (i.e. send jobs to China) or shut down entirely.

I don’t go to Wal-Mart, but there are times I’m in Target (lesser of two evils) and I think to myself, maybe a sweater shouldn’t cost $9. Maybe if stuff actually cost what it should (as in, the people making the product are actually being paid fairly), we would all have to stop buying more stuff.

By: Cubalibre

Cubalibre — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 01:13:27 +0000

Well, it’s not near 500, but it’s over 200– so, I’d say there’s a bit of passion goin’ on!

By: Marais

Marais — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 21:34:32 +0000

Amen to that! Decided to upgrade our Weber a few years ago, shopped all over the interwebs, figured out which one we wanted, considered Amazon and then called Intown Ace. They had the grill at the same price as Amazon and it was already assembled. We drove over to Ace, made the purchase, drove right home and were grilling within the hour. Awe-some.

I’m fine with a Wal-Mart at Suburban, but it won’t deflect me from the local merchants. WM just never seems to have what I need. For such a large place the inventory is surprisingly shallow.