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Wal-Mart seeking green light for expansions
By: CRAIG TENBROECK - Staff Writer | ∞
The Wal-Mart store at 1800 University Drive in Vista plans an expansion into one of its Supercenters.
JAMIE SCOTT LYTLE Staff Photographer
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NORTH COUNTY ---- Wal-Mart's plans to turn two stores in Oceanside and Vista into massive grocery-retail destinations known as Supercenters seem to be sailing through the cities' review processes, officials said last week, though there have been hints that the Vista project could face an outside challenge.
To date, plans for each store have been evaluated by city planning departments and most of the hurdles are cleared, officials in Vista and Oceanside said.
The Bettonville, Ark.-based retailer is pressing forward with the upgrades despite disappointing sales companywide and frequent opposition to its building plans. A proposed store near the San Elijo Hills area of San Marcos was nixed three years ago by a voter-led initiative that reversed the city's approval.
Wal-Mart's target date for completing the Vista and Oceanside expansions is "no later than mid-2009," said John Mendez, the retailer's Southern California spokesman. Until recently, the company had been vague about when the work might be done.
The two stores would be the chain's first Supercenters in North County.
So far, the projects have faced little of the public opposition the discount giant has encountered in other communities. While Wal-Mart supporters laud its low prices, union groups and other critics have blasted the company over issues such as labor standards, unfair competition and community blight.
Last month, an attorney who has waged legal battles over Wal-Mart stores in other cities sent Vista a letter, questioning a procedural step with the project. The attorney did not return several phone calls last week and it is unclear in this case who he represents.
New construction, old approvals
In March, Wal-Mart ---- the world's largest retailer ---- announced it would increase the size of the two North County stores by about 30,000 square feet to sell groceries alongside its normal retail stock.
The North County stores slated for upgrades are at 1800 University Drive, in Vista's North County Square shopping center, and at 705 College Blvd., near Highway 76 in Oceanside.
It's still too early to say when construction could begin, Mendez said.
In Oceanside, Wal-Mart needs only to obtain a building permit to move forward, Deputy City Manager Mike Blessing said Wednesday. In 1993, when the city originally approved the store, a future expansion was part of the deal, so the project won't go before the City Council or Planning Commission now, Blessing said.
"At this point it's strictly ministerial," Blessing said. "They have all their approvals, based on the 1993 approval of the project."
Ministerial decisions are those in which a local government has no discretion; usually, if certain conditions are met, a permit must be issued.
Jim Zicaro, an Oceanside building official, said he wouldn't be surprised if Wal-Mart had its permit in hand next month.
The Vista store has a similar history. When the city approved it in the mid-1990s, the project included the right to expand in the future, said John Conley, Vista's director of community development.
Earlier this year, when Wal-Mart decided to exercise that option, Conley said, the city asked the company to submit a "plot plan," an application used by city staff to ensure the proposed work was consistent with the city's previous approval.
Conley signed off on that plan earlier this month.
"From Wal-Mart's position, it's pretty straightforward," Conley said. "I don't think there's a lot of discretion that the city has as to whether they can or can't expand."
Ordinarily, Wal-Mart would need only administrative approvals to proceed, Conley said, but a wrinkle was introduced Wednesday, when Planning Commissioner Nick Ashcraft appealed city staff's decision.
The commission is tentatively scheduled to review the project in September, Conley said. After that, the company can submit a building permit application.
The Planning Commission's discretion is limited to the expansion area, and any changes made since it was originally approved, Conley said.
Ashcraft said Wednesday that he doesn't oppose the expansion ---- "I like the idea of a superstore" ---- but he wants to prod the company into making some architectural upgrades.
"I look at it as maybe the only opportunity we're going to get to make it look at little nicer," Ashcraft said.
Right now, he said, it's "just the ultimate big box store. There really wasn't a lot of panache put into the building."
Strong emotions
Wal-Mart has been known to elicit strong emotions from both critics and supporters.
In March 2004, San Marcos residents successfully blocked a proposed Wal-Mart in the southwest corner of the city after gathering enough signatures to put a measure on the ballot.
Earlier this year, the San Diego City Council effectively banned Supercenters from setting up shop in that city, although Mayor Jerry Sanders vetoed the ban.
Supercenters average 185,000 square feet and offer 142,000 different items, according to Wal-Mart's Web site. The chain's regular retail stores average 101,000 square feet and 120,000 items.
There are 28 Supercenters in California.
In Vista, there has been a hint that opposition may appear. On July 26, the city received a letter from John McClendon ---- a Laguna Hills attorney who has waged other legal battles over Wal-Mart stores ---- stating that recent changes to the Vista project's environmental documents require City Council approval. Without it, McClendon said, Vista would be in violation of the California Environmental Quality Act.
Jonathan Stone, Vista's assistant city attorney, sent a written reply a week later, stating that McClendon had "misread" the law. Stone also warned the attorney of potential conflict of interest, stating that McClendon's partner has represented the city of Vista in other land-use matters.
McClendon did not return calls or an e-mail seeking comment for this story. His client was not named in the letter.
On Thursday, a land-use analyst with the international law firm Latham & Watkins also inquired about appealing Vista's Wal-Mart project, and was told that a planning commissioner had already done so, Conley said. The analyst did not return a call seeking comment for this story.
San Jacinto City Attorney Jeff Ballinger, whose city was sued in 2004 over a Wal-Mart Supercenter by a group calling itself Communities Against Blight, said that "virtually every Wal-Mart project that's before a city is likely to be challenged by somebody." McClendon represented the plaintiffs in that case.
The San Jacinto lawsuit, which aimed to block the store, was unsuccessful, Ballinger said.
When told about McClendon's letter to Vista, Ballinger said that "Vista can pretty much expect that there's going to be a lawsuit involved in this."
Blessing, Oceanside's deputy city manager, said his city had not received a similar letter.
Conley said the Vista store expansion is, for the most part, a done deal.
"The opportunity to challenge the expansion was back in the '90s," he said.
Contact staff writer Craig TenBroeck at (760) 901-4062 or ctenbroeck@nctimes.com.
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Short Sighted wrote on Aug 18, 2007 10:51 PM:Ooops, guess O'side and Vista are going to pay the reaper for short sighted decions in the 90's. Sweet, even more min wage jobs!!!
Typical Wal-Mart Sneakiness wrote on Aug 18, 2007 11:42 PM:This is how Wal-Mart operates-First they build a regular store, but always intend to expand it to a "Supercenter." Great-Now you can go get even more of your safe Chinese-made products, including pet and human food!
Vistan wrote on Aug 19, 2007 5:29 AM:I've stopped shopping at Wal-Mart due to their greed-driven need to expand, and their large import of cheap, unsafe goods made in China. I have instead been supporting local mom-'n-pop type stores and the Farmer's Market.
I going to vomit wrote on Aug 19, 2007 5:54 AM: It figures Oceanside would bring more bigger Walmarts into the city. What a disgrace and low class. I desperately need to move out of here, these politicians and their radical environmentalist WACKO's have turned the city that15 years ago looked prosperous into a dive. Shawridge and Rancho Del Oro have turned into renter’s colonies, why stay in the mire if you can afford to move to a more civilized and affluent community? Why raise your kids in this swamp with the worst schools in the state and the most inept politicians?
Bob wrote on Aug 19, 2007 6:35 AM:Once again, how many more these stores do we need, there is practically one on every corner as it is. It makes me sick. These idiot city officials think nothing about quality of life only tax revenue. Not an original idea ever comes out of their heads. How about leaving a little open space as opposed to another big box eyesore.
RalphS wrote on Aug 19, 2007 7:01 AM:If you want to know who for the most part is leading the charge against the placement of Supercenters, look no further than the Unions that control the markets now. Between the unbelievable high wages demanded by unions for someone to wave an item across a laser reader,(It doesn't take a college education to figure out how to do this.) and the benefits, it does not take one long to figure out why the price of food is so high. Maybe WalMart does not pay the highest wages in the world, it is above minimum, they do give their employees the opportunity to purchase benefits. They do supply jobs to a sector of the economy that sorely needs them. Let the Supercenters and WalMart Neighborhood Markets "come on down". Watch how fast the Albertsons, Vons and Stater Bros. fold like a house of cards. As long as they are the only game in town they are happy as can be, but put in some competition, and they scream bloody murder. In Oklahoma for example, every Albertsons in the state closed in a one week period. All of those that complain about the Supercenters will be some of the first in them to shop. Why pay the ridiculous prices of the big markets, when you can save yourself hundreds of dollars. The world revolves on competition, and if you can't compete, shut your door an move on. Compare the prices for yourself, check the price of cereal, let's say Cherrios in a WalMart versus Albertsons.
Craig wrote on Aug 19, 2007 7:24 AM:I am one of the people who has a growing concern with large retailers who buy 90%+ of their products from China and sell well below prices offered by local family owned operations. When is this country going to realize we are selling the soul (and industry) of America to a communist country?
Stop The Madness- wrote on Aug 19, 2007 8:02 AM:Stop turning Oceanside into a slum. Stop destroying small business people and other fine neighborhood retailers. I like to shop near home and not have to drive to Walmart for everything because they put all the competition out of business. LOOK AT ALL THE DOWN TOWNS across America that have become vacant because of Walmart-how about down town Oceanside? More Walmart= less or no business in down town Oceanside! Stop with the Walmarts!
Shaky Jake wrote on Aug 19, 2007 8:07 AM:Yes Ralph, the employees can purchase benefits (a novel idea for corporatists) with their minimum wages. Just a quick question Raplph. Can YOU live in San Diego on 7.75/hr and buy health insurance, dental insurance and disability insurance? FYI Walmart is the biggest union busting corporation we have. Maybe you want the grocery chains to go down because they DO have unions. Your elitist greed enabling is totally transparent. It's you and your conservative viewpoints that are poisoning this country. Walmart skimps on wages, provides lousy benefits, and uses their profits (the part that doesn't make the Waltons the richest family in the country) to buy dangerous, poisonous products made by prison labor camps in "Communist "China and flood our markets, causing their competition (US companies) to whither away. Real patriotic, dude. Can I offer you some more corporate Kool Aid?
Shaky Jake wrote on Aug 19, 2007 8:13 AM:Rplph Part II, My heavens, so much misinformation. First, how can THREE grocery chains be "The only game in town"? Second, Walmart doesn't compete, they CHEAT. Third, You think the price a gallon of milk is up by 15% in the last 6 months because of unions? This proves your illiteracy. But go ahead and compare the prices yourself. Then check the labels. If I buy cheap milk from Wal Mart, I'm going to ask you to taste it for me before I drink it. You are too easy man. Fish in a barrel. Or should I say corporate tools in a barrel.
Vote with your wallet wrote on Aug 19, 2007 8:22 AM:90 percent of what is sold in retail stores is unneccesary garbage. I do not buy into the hype and consumerism. As a benefit I have managed to retire early, rasie my kids without daycare. I am not sure if I should laugh or cry about the suckers lining up for the consumer goods at Walmart et al.
Local vs Chains wrote on Aug 19, 2007 8:25 AM:I always try to buy locally. Recently I tried to buy a bike tire at a locally owned bike store on the Coast Highway in Oceanside. Big place, good reputation. It was a very common tire, they only stocked a high end tire for over 25 dollars. I ended up going to Walmart and buying two tires and two tubes for $25. Compete or die people
Down Town wrote on Aug 19, 2007 8:26 AM:The city is attempting to re-vitalize our down town. We need retailers down town and a Wamart will take away business. We don't need more greedy Walmarts. With all the new builing down town we need nore reailers in the down town area-not less! Live down town and Walk to the stores and beach!
Smell the coffee wrote on Aug 19, 2007 8:44 AM:Many of us are happy to see the new jobs that they will bring. Do you actually think the mom and pop stores are paying higher then minimum wage? Your kidding youself if you do. They charge higher prices, but keep it to themselves. At least Wal Mart allows you to transfer if you move, and they provide a chance to move up the ladder.
Tort Reform Needed Along With More Wal -Marts wrote on Aug 19, 2007 9:13 AM:This is a good example of the need for tort reform. The group that sued San Jacinto should have had to post an insurance bond along with their suit to pay the legal fees when the case is thrown out. If anyone has any problem with Wal-Mart providing lower priced food - DON'T SHOP THERE AND EAT LESS! The primary role of government should be to protect people and property from unlawful acts; and to provide infrastructure, two areas where government need to devote much more time and money. The more government can stay out of the free market place the better off we will all be. America is about free enterprise. It is about businesses competing to offer the best products and the best prices. It is about people being limited only by their skills, knowledge, courage and their willingness to work hard. By the way, does everyone know that Wal-Mart is the largest corporate provider of health care in the US. Thanks Wal-Mart for providing good products and the lowest price and for raising the standard of living across American.
Hey Wal Mart.. wrote on Aug 19, 2007 9:15 AM:WE need unions at WalMart....Why are the Waltons among richest family in Anerica?? They keep profit dollars and employess have no medical insurance.!!!!!!!!
Eatin sewage wrote on Aug 19, 2007 9:32 AM:I won't put anything Chinese in my mouth, whether it be fake medicine, lead painted toys, or pork made from pigs that are fed human sewage. No thank you
Jerimiah wrote on Aug 19, 2007 9:47 AM:We really have a bunch of snobs in this area. If you don't like Wal-Mart, don't shop there, but don't try to prevent people who want to save a little from buying at the cheapest place. As far as Made in China, look at the labels at Macy's, Nordstrom, Saks, etc. It's hard to find anything made in the USA.
Reid C wrote on Aug 19, 2007 9:50 AM:I love all of the people that that worry about all of the mom & pop stores like Vons, Ralphs, and Albertsons. It wasn't that many years ago when then the same Unions were trying to keep people away from a small market chain in North County named "Major Market" and it realy was as close to a small mom & pop as you are going to find now days. As you can read in these posts just like always this is a war for Unions and snobs, nothing else.
REASONABLE JAKE wrote on Aug 19, 2007 9:58 AM:The reason Wally has such a high percentage of China made products is due to the percentage of non-food items such as toys, office supplies, etc. Look at those items in a grocery store and they are also made in China. I am also concerned about the labor situation in Walmarts as I continue to see their employees driven into the stores in chains. It's a shame that Walmart makes them work there. I can get over that though when I will pay about 18% less for my groceries.
Not Amused wrote on Aug 19, 2007 10:28 AM:Nimby's Nimby's Nimby's, you choose to live in O'side as it is the cheapest real estate by the sea. Face it, if you cannot deal with the city then I guess you should move to a classier town that pleases you. For those that don't like growth and a city tax base, if you had your way, O'side would be even worse off. The city that gave up the mall and car country is destined for places like Wal Marts. But there is the hope that the stadium does get built as it will finally bring some class, growth and business to this otherwise strip mall and fast food city. As far as products from China...look around you, they are everywhere.
Wake UP People! wrote on Aug 19, 2007 10:42 AM:Are you going to sit on your duffs and let the City of Oceanside get away with this? Documents that were approved 14 years ago are no longer valid today. Ask for new environmental and traffic studies. Please!
Made Your Bed wrote on Aug 19, 2007 10:55 AM:LOL, you all MISSED the article. Very sad. The agreements for them to expand was agreed to in the beginning. Just shows there was no forward thinking. The bed has been made, now get ready to lay in it.
Union YES wrote on Aug 19, 2007 11:32 AM:Lets turn Walmart into union stores this will cut the proliferation of second rated jobs and crocked politicians back alley deals.
MJ wrote on Aug 19, 2007 11:45 AM:In the not too distant future, all goods in retail stores will have an embedded RFID tag - basically it is just an electronic version of the bar code. You will push your cart through a gate (similar to the security gates at many stores) ... instantly, everything in the cart will be totaled and you will be able to pay in a manner similar to the self checkout stations that we already use. Retail clerks will be a thing of the past. There will be stockers and baggers (who can work for tips) - which is pretty much what union "retail clerks" are these days anyway -- semi-skilled labor at best. PS do you think any store in the malls of america pay much over minimum wage? Nope.
Shaky Jake wrote on Aug 19, 2007 11:51 AM:Tort Reform, your statement about Mall Wart being the biggest provider of health insurance is a straw man argument. That only happens because of the sheer numbers of employees they have. It says nothing about the quality of their benefits. And can you provide data to back your claim that Mall Wart has actually raised the standard of living here? They simply employ large numbers of people, mostly part time and with bare bones benefits. That has no bearing on the standard of living, only the unemployment rate.
Shaky Jake wrote on Aug 19, 2007 12:01 PM:To Reasonable Jake: The grocery chains have 1/2 of one aisle devoted to office supplies. The toys are also a minimal part of their overall inventory. The cost impact is negligible. The whole purpose of the Walton's superstore is to integrate FOOD products into their inventory. How do you think they will stock these items and keep their prices lower? I'm sure they will find a way, but at what non-monetary cost?
RalphS wrote on Aug 19, 2007 12:27 PM:To Shaky Jake - Its called collusion - the three big market chains are within pennies of each others price. Its as though they have a weekly meeting. I agree that many items sold in WalMart are made in China, by guess what, American owned companies. Check the same items in Albertson's, they are also made in China. I fault our government for allowing so many of our companies to take the manufacturing to another country. We are about to learn very quickly that this is a mistake. Did you know about one fourth of the gasoline sold in this country is not made here. Are you now not going to buy gas from certain stations? I think not you will save where you can. The food sold in WalMart and the Neighborhood WalMart stores is not made in China. Check item for item, just as Locals vs. Chains wrote, sometime you have to leave the locals in order to spend your money "conservatively". Is it safe to use that term in this section? Most of the employees at WalMart are for what ever reason, poorly educated, some are retired supplimenting their incomes, some mentally challenged, etc. You can say what you want but they do serve a good purpose to a certain section of our economy. I again will bet that those complaining the loudest will be some of the first there to shop. When I can save 18 - 25% on the staple of life, I would be a fool not to take advantage of it. I would rather spend my money on other creature comforts or help someone in need. I do not feel like giving my money to some fat cat leader of a union via the prices at Albertson's, Von's, Ralph's or Stater Bros.
Jimmy the III wrote on Aug 19, 2007 12:39 PM:Interesting, The City Council of Oceanside, the City Treasurer, and many of the City Commissions they all scream: Hi Caliber, HI Class, up Scale, but in the interests of Wal-Mart in the lower rung of economy scale they have nothing to say and the system is rigged to be allowed to just file a piece of paper? Come on then my city council and civic leaders, get off your dang high horses, quit putting on aires, stop playing your high class pretend games, and just shut up and end being duplicitous! Your silence is deafening and eye opening at the same time.
Susie wrote on Aug 19, 2007 1:23 PM:i will support the union stores. sad how people think everyone should work for nothing and deserve no benefits. Dirty walmart should do the same for their employees. Sad what people support Ralph
Interested Reader wrote on Aug 19, 2007 1:47 PM:Please check out how much wal-mart has raised prices in Oklahoma since there is no compitition there. How many of the workers are on the "public dole" since wal-mart doesn't pay health care for their workers. I seem to remember when wal-mart was approved in Vista, the city gave them some very hefty tax breaks aginst infastructure costs. Is this the money they are now using to build the supercenter? Just wondering!
sturgeon general wrote on Aug 19, 2007 2:46 PM:What do people have against unions? We owe the weekend, holiday pay, overtime and health benefits to unions. Without them we'd still be doing 16 hour days for peanuts. UNIONS ROCK! Support Union shops!
To Ralph wrote on Aug 19, 2007 2:46 PM:You said it doesn't take a college education to run an item across a laser reader. What do you do for a living? I want to know so I can insult you. You sound like you have been cheated out of something in life. Go ahead and support your local walmart. But I bet you are the first one complaining when it comes to paying health care for the walmart employees who does not have insurance. Who is smarter, you or the laser scanner? Go figure!!!
To Ralph wrote on Aug 19, 2007 2:50 PM:Let's reverse your thought. I'll bet as soon as Albertson's, Ralph's, or Von's has an item on sale you are the first one to go get it!!! haha
To all who care. wrote on Aug 19, 2007 3:19 PM:RalphS has a degree in electronics from a major university, former pilot in the Marine Corps. Have designed and improved equipment you use on a daily basis. I have now retired from the private sector and happen to own homes in Oklahoma and California. WalMart has not increased their prices contrary to what "Interested Reader" states. We have other large chain grocers in Oklahoma, Reasor's for example, but they are non-union. They do quite well and compete with WalMart head to head. I think if you bother to read a little on WalMart, you will see that as the largest employer in the U.S. they are also the largest provider of benefits to their employees. I have never seen an employee of WalMart that was not happy and grateful to have a job. Some companies that I worked for supplied benefits, others did not. Some payed for your spouse and children, others did not. As far as being cheated, not on your life, I worked for everything I have, saved where I could, including shopping at WalMart. I am very blessed to have had two wonderful careers. I don't see anyone twisting your arm to shop there, you have the right to spend as much as you want for an item, I chose to be frugal.
Shaky Jake wrote on Aug 19, 2007 3:41 PM:Ralph, You're slowly coming around. But China's manufacturing is totally government regulated, with a portion of graft thrown in. It's the last bit of Stalinist communism left there. And speaking of collusion (I agree with your claim on the grocers-but it's not because of unions obviously), the US companies in China are only there as a symbolic gesture. Did you know that the same week that China reevaluated the yuan in 2005 (aka we devalued the dollar) they put in a bid for Unocal oil? But your statement that you would rather buy cheap from China than more for union US products (what's left of them) is playing right into Walmart's hands (or wallets as it were.)So save away, but you are hurting our economy.
To Ralph wrote on Aug 19, 2007 4:24 PM:Maybe you can design grocery scanners that will do away with the human scanners. haha!!! That would make you... happy. Walmarts benefits are very little. I think you should do your research. Most walmart employees to me do not seem happy to work there. Most seem like they are unhappy to even check you out. I know too that the grocery scanner has worked for everything they have too.
To Ralph wrote on Aug 19, 2007 4:39 PM:point is Ralph, nobody cares what you do or think. You are the one who is providing insults to grocery scanners. Let's not get hateful and put the working people down. Get it???
dont shop ther wrote on Aug 19, 2007 5:19 PM:if you dont like supercenters, drive past and pay more at albertsons. its that simple.
Now we are making progess wrote on Aug 19, 2007 5:37 PM:I will pay more at albertson's. I am so glad I have that option. Love the variety, and love the clean store. I have the best of both worlds. Can save money and shop at albertson's.
??? wrote on Aug 19, 2007 5:45 PM:I like how the north county times is selective on postings. NCT doesn't not print what you really say!!!! What a left wing operation!!
Go Wally Go! wrote on Aug 19, 2007 6:04 PM:Woohoo! Go Wally World Go! Hey, guess what? Wal*Mart sells the same stuff as K-Mart, Target, Sears, JC Penny, etc. Take off your blinders. Why should I pay $4.69 for Corn Flakes when Wal*Mart has the same item for $2.17? My dollar goes further, my wallet does not hurt. Remove all the voodoo and kickbacks to sales reps to get products onto the shelves at Kroger, watch the prices go lower. If you abolish the union everyone saves. The time for labor unions is gone. This is not 1910 anymore.
Vinnie- wrote on Aug 19, 2007 6:32 PM:I live near Albertsons and find it a very nice store to shop in. The food products are very good - fresh baked pastry and great potato salad. Wallmart on the other hand cost me gasoline to get there. So I have a choice. Quality mens clothing can be bought at Steinmart and it is usually discounted 50 percent. So the choices are out there.
Cheap is good wrote on Aug 20, 2007 12:55 AM:Wal-Mart is the best thing that ever happened to inflation-battered, underpaid middle and lower class Americans.
MJ wrote on Aug 20, 2007 2:29 AM:The union vs non-union argument vis a vis WalMart and the major grocers is a red herring -- WalMart is simply able to enjoy an economy of scale that the others do not and can spread their profit margins across food and general merchandise. Walmart also has a highly efficient distribution system. Remember Gemco, Fred Meyer, Fedco, etc? Walmart just got it right. For example, I heard that Walmart sells it's tuna for less than Albertsons and Ralphs wholesale cost! Go figure.
RobertM wrote on Aug 20, 2007 10:28 AM:After reading these blogs I get the idea that Walmart carries only Chinese made products that will kill me and Walmart is the only store that carries Chinese made products. That means the Kellogg's Corn Flakes from Albertson's come from Michigan and the Kellogg's Corn Flakes that I can buy cheaper at Walmart come from China and are poisoned. I guess if it's on the internet it must be true.
chuck wrote on Aug 20, 2007 10:47 AM:When we lived in the midwest we had both Walmart and Target Super Centers. I myself love Target Super Centers better than Walmart ones. The store becomes a one stop shopping center for me. You can buy everything you need at one place. I still would go to the Mom and Pop places for things I could not find or did not want to buy at a Super store. Try it you will like it.
Got two in my yard wrote on Aug 20, 2007 10:53 AM:I have two Super Wal-Mart's within 5 miles of my home in Hemet. It's amazing how the prices vary in those 5 miles. Most products are the same price BUT there are a number of food items I have found to be less expensive at the Hemet store as opposed to the San Jacinto store. A dime here and a quarter there add up rather quickly if you are not paying attention. Why are they less in Hemet? Is it because the residence are more "senior?" Why charge more in San Jacinto?? Could it be a racial thing? (By the way, I'm white, 46 and married.) But, I do wonder if the fact there are more hispanics living in San Jacinto, has any effect on their pricing. I was in the grocery business for 30 years. I know how it works. My chain store competed against Wal-Mart in our market several years ago, (I lived in the midwest for a few years, before returning to SoCal.) There, in the midwest, Wal-Mart was a lot more aggressive in price competitiveness, then they are here. I've noticed many prices higher then my local Staters. And I've seen some lower too. They gear each region differently and then they sell everyone on their "cost conscious" concept, and many actually believe that they are getting a great deal at Wal-Mart. The bottom line is Wal-Mart is in the business to make a profit, as is everyone else. Do you chose to help them make a profit on the backs of those who can least afford it or not? And at what cost, financially and as we see with each passing news story, health wise? That is a choice each one of us makes on our own.
Leaky Boat wrote on Aug 20, 2007 11:22 AM:The business of America is business and San Diego has no business banning supercenters. Maybe the SD city council should get on a leaky boat and set sail for Ho Chi Minh City.
SWAK! wrote on Aug 20, 2007 9:28 PM:Well of course nobody's complaining about the proposed expansion here in O'side. O'side is Wal-Mart's biotch. We've got a permanent pucker ready for Wal-Mart's backside.
New EIR's necesary wrote on Aug 21, 2007 2:26 PM:There is just no way that they can try to sneak this past the people. There are changes that happen in any community, even if it is only traffic and impermeable surface (without landscaping), that cause a new EIR, actually the changes trigger it. CEQA, the California Environmental Quality Act, spells things out pretty clearly. Everyone, whether for or against the Wal-Mart, must require that the cities do new EIR's. Maybe those folks over in San Marcos have an idea with their initiative. Give it to the voters. Intensity of use requires it (at least with that initiative)
???? wrote on Aug 21, 2007 5:22 PM:There are still a lot of unions around. And its way past the year 1910. Belong to a union and have for 30 years. Will retire with great benefits. UNION YES!!!
To All Wal-Mart Supporters wrote on Aug 21, 2007 5:52 PM:Go rent the video, "Wal-Mart, The High Cost of Low Price"
To Oceanside and Vista wrote on Aug 22, 2007 9:25 AM:You have to ask yourselves why Wal-Mart is wanting to expand the discount element of their operations in YOUR cities, but is sucking up to Carlsbad to offer that city its "Upscale" store.
It's about Time! wrote on Aug 23, 2007 3:32 PM:We're Tired of the Unions and their strikes and strongholds. Lower priced Groceries will be welcome on our tables. Thanks, Wal-Mart!
Wrong About Wal-Mart wrote on Aug 23, 2007 8:21 PM:Being that I've never worked for Wal-Mart, and have had no first hand knowledge of many allegations against them, I took the time to speak to a few of the Wal-Mart employees over my last few visits and have learned that you people who condemn the company for not offering benefits couldn't be more wrong. Every single person I talked to told me of the variety of health plans available to them. Sure they have to contribute, but the amount depends on the selected plan and apparently none of them are out of the realm of possibility. I also learned of the exhorbinant amount of vacation/sick/personal days they are able to take in a variety of ways so as to avoid financial penalties when personal issues (health or otherwise) come up. I had not one person say one thing bad about their hours, wages, responsibilities, benefits packages or anything else. In fact, 3 of the 5 told me it was the best company they've ever worked for. Granted it was a small 'study' in one store, but I have no reason to doubt their comments. Maybe we need some more objective opinions formed from the input of actual employees rather than extortionist union propaganda. Maybe not ... but it's certainly a thought.
bryan wrote on Aug 23, 2007 10:31 PM:what ever happened to free enterprise. Who ever can sell the best or the cheapest product wins. The consumer decides the winner. But not today, the liberals are changing the rules as they go. Just like removing parental authority over our children, the libs are trying to force the school to raise our kids and not allow the parents to have any say. They (libs / government)want total controll over our lives. Every day we get closer and closer to socialism, communism. thanks libs.
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