WAL-MART to open 6 stores in DC. Thats right I said 6.

[Wes_Tiny_Abe_]

I have never seen so many Wal-Mart stores in such a small area.

For those of you who felt a CVS store on nearly every other block was not enough, now DC is going to have 6 Wal-Marts too.

Washington DC is well on its way to becoming EveryOtherCityUSA.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc- ... story.html

[Wes_Tiny_Abe_]

Well DC, I'm out of this motherf*cker. For real this time. No joke. I will post pics too. I am out of here.

[Wizardspride]

Perhaps I'm just ignorant but could you please inform me why this is a major problem for you?

[mhd]

Have not stepped foot inside a Walmart in 10+ years. I'd rather pay the extra $3 collectively I'd save by shopping in a store that is clean.

Honestly, why does Walmart need 6 stores in DC? If people in DC want to go to a Walmart, there are tons in MD and VA. I understand the issue with those without cars, but still.

[fishercob]

First, thanks to WTA for providing this breaking news.

Second, all of the areas they are going into are underserved from a retail perspective. I'm not defending Wa-Mart's business practices, treatment of employees, etc., b/c I'm no expert on the subject. But there is clearly pent up demand in the markets they're going into -- the same markets that other anchor tenants (especially grocers -- and these stores will have a heavy grocery component) won't go to.

[Wes_Tiny_Abe_]

First, thanks to WTA for providing this breaking news.

Second, all of the areas they are going into are underserved from a retail perspective. I'm not defending Wa-Mart's business practices, treatment of employees, etc., b/c I'm no expert on the subject. But there is clearly pent up demand in the markets they're going into -- the same markets that other anchor tenants (especially grocers -- and these stores will have a heavy grocery component) won't go to.

Hey nice Avatar.

[fishercob]

It was either that or a Panera logo

[Cramer]

Still see no reason to go to D.C. unless I needed some blow.

[montestewart]

Still see no reason to go to D.C. unless I needed some blow.

Well, I hear Wal-Mart is looking into becoming DC's only authorized gun dealer. I smell a renaissance.

[fishercob]

Still see no reason to go to D.C. unless I needed some blow.

Oh yeah, because you couldn't possibly find any in Herndon?

[Rafael122]

The original plan was to have 4, now they are adding 2 more. Interesting.

[fishercob]

The original plan was to have 4, now they are adding 2 more. Interesting.

Not sure about the 6th, but the City gave Wal-Mart an ultimatum to either do a store at Skyland or none of the other four previously planned would be approved.

[BigA]

Aren't at least some of these the smaller Walmart Express format they are experimenting with?

BTW, I moved out of the District because the 11th Safeway opened up and I couldn't take it anymore.

[fishercob]

Aren't at least some of these the smaller Walmart Express format they are experimenting with?

BTW, I moved out of the District because the 11th Safeway opened up and I couldn't take it anymore.

I don't know about "Express" but these will not all be the full on 130,000 sf behemoth that most people associate with Wal-Mart. The one at NY & Bladensburg will be. GA & Missouri, 801 New Jersey, and I believe Riggs and S. Dakota will all be much smaller (perhaps 70K - 90K sf) and will anchor mixed used developments.

[TGW]

Hey Wes_Tiny_Abe....I thought you'd be happy more Wal-Mart's were opening, considering the fact that you'd be able to keep your stock of wetwipes and tissues filled without having to make a trip out to MD for it.

[Bickerstaff]

It was either that or a Panera logo

[Zonkerbl]

The original plan was to have 4, now they are adding 2 more. Interesting.

Not sure about the 6th, but the City gave Wal-Mart an ultimatum to either do a store at Skyland or none of the other four previously planned would be approved.

The city gave Wal Mart an ultimatum -- that there weren't ENOUGH Wal-Marts??? After all the anti-Wal Mart protests and stuff?

Wow. DC politics fascinates me.

[Nivek]

I think the point of the ultimatum was to bring shopping and services to areas of the city that have long been under-served. I haven't lived in the city in 16 years now, but unless things have changed markedly, there's still a dearth of places to buy stuff like food and clothing at reasonable prices -- in certain areas. Six might be too many, but I suspect the Wal-Marts are needed and will be welcomed. I don't know for sure, of course -- I've been out of the city for awhile now.

[Ruzious]

I thought DC needed more cowbell; not more Wal-Marts.

I guess their plan is to be the place where everyone buys a very wide variety of items - one stop shopping - and (it goes without saying) destroy any competition. And when you're going to be as big an employer as they will be, ya get some power in the city.

[montestewart]

I thought DC needed more cowbell; not more Wal-Marts.

I guess their plan is to be the place where everyone buys a very wide variety of items - one stop shopping - and (it goes without saying) destroy any competition. And when you're going to be as big an employer as they will be, ya get some power in the city.

Looking at the proposed locations, I don't think there's a whole lot of competition to destroy, and Wal-Mart may be the only place that offers any of a wide variety of items. That Anacostia location has often been a dead zone since the 60s (though there is a Safeway there) and a Wal-Mart will likely be welcome.