In 2008-09 the residents in this area (Beaufort/Lady's Island/Saint
Helena Island) fought (and won) against a proposed new WalMart Super
Center on Lady's Island. The issue has reared it's ugly head again.

The original commercial zoning of the property called for a series of
small shops, no more than two stories high and in keeping with
"lowcountry" architectural style. After WalMart was beaten down the
owner of the property sued the city. As a result of a settlement he was
granted a variance allowing construction of an up to 150,000 square foot
building on the property. WalMart is back, proposing a 149,979 square
foot Super Center. Arrrgh!

No request for building permits have been filed with the City Planning
Commission yet but it sure looks like we're in for another fight.

Jill

On 2/7/2015 6:12 PM, jmcquown wrote:

> The original commercial zoning of the property called for a series of
> small shops, no more than two stories high and in keeping with
> "lowcountry" architectural style. After WalMart was beaten down the
> owner of the property sued the city. As a result of a settlement he was
> granted a variance allowing construction of an up to 150,000 square foot
> building on the property. WalMart is back, proposing a 149,979 square
> foot Super Center. Arrrgh!

They don't give up. Neither do any of the big box outfits. It can take
years, but they keep trying.

Much as it was voted against, on opening day the parking lot will be
filled.

On 2/7/2015 6:29 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> On 2/7/2015 6:12 PM, jmcquown wrote:
>
>> The original commercial zoning of the property called for a series of
>> small shops, no more than two stories high and in keeping with
>> "lowcountry" architectural style. After WalMart was beaten down the
>> owner of the property sued the city. As a result of a settlement he was
>> granted a variance allowing construction of an up to 150,000 square foot
>> building on the property. WalMart is back, proposing a 149,979 square
>> foot Super Center. Arrrgh!
>
> They don't give up. Neither do any of the big box outfits. It can take
> years, but they keep trying.
>
> Much as it was voted against, on opening day the parking lot will be
> filled.

I'm sure you're right. The zoning variance does require the parking be
*behind* the store, and the front of the has to face the access road
(Airport Circle) rather than Highway 21. I'm not sure how that will
work out. Who wants to walk all the way around a huge building to get
from their car to the store entrance?

Jill

"jmcquown" > wrote in message
...
> In 2008-09 the residents in this area (Beaufort/Lady's Island/Saint Helena
> Island) fought (and won) against a proposed new WalMart Super Center on
> Lady's Island. The issue has reared it's ugly head again.

The issue never went away:

A Circuit Court judge determined in December 2009 that the property's
development agreement allowed a big-box store, and the city appealed in
early 2010.



>
> The original commercial zoning of the property called for a series of
> small shops, no more than two stories high and in keeping with
> "lowcountry" architectural style.

Apparantly not.

After WalMart was beaten down the
> owner of the property sued the city. As a result of a settlement he was
> granted a variance allowing construction of an up to 150,000 square foot
> building on the property. WalMart is back, proposing a 149,979 square
> foot Super Center. Arrrgh!

Arrrgh yourself:

In January 2008, Walmart sought permits to build a 195,000-square-foot store
on Trask's land at Airport Junction. At the time, zoning for the property
allowed up to 250,000 square feet of commercial space.


More than 250,000 square feet of potential commercial space is removed from
development agreements for several of Trask's Lady's Island properties that
are within city limits.


>
> No request for building permits have been filed with the City Planning
> Commission yet but it sure looks like we're in for another fight.
>
> Jill

It will be a short fight this time. It is over.

"jmcquown" > wrote in message
...
> On 2/7/2015 6:29 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>> On 2/7/2015 6:12 PM, jmcquown wrote:
>>
>>> The original commercial zoning of the property called for a series of
>>> small shops, no more than two stories high and in keeping with
>>> "lowcountry" architectural style. After WalMart was beaten down the
>>> owner of the property sued the city. As a result of a settlement he was
>>> granted a variance allowing construction of an up to 150,000 square foot
>>> building on the property. WalMart is back, proposing a 149,979 square
>>> foot Super Center. Arrrgh!
>>
>> They don't give up. Neither do any of the big box outfits. It can take
>> years, but they keep trying.
>>
>> Much as it was voted against, on opening day the parking lot will be
>> filled.
>
> I'm sure you're right. The zoning variance does require the parking be
> *behind* the store, and the front of the has to face the access road
> (Airport Circle) rather than Highway 21. I'm not sure how that will work
> out. Who wants to walk all the way around a huge building to get from
> their car to the store entrance?
>
> Jill

wrong.

Any construction 55,000 square feet or greater at Airport Junction must be
oriented toward Airport Circle, and not US 21,with parking between the
building and Airport Circle.

On Saturday, February 7, 2015 at 6:12:44 PM UTC-5, jmcquown wrote:
> In 2008-09 the residents in this area (Beaufort/Lady's Island/Saint
> Helena Island) fought (and won) against a proposed new WalMart Super
> Center on Lady's Island. The issue has reared it's ugly head again.
>
> The original commercial zoning of the property called for a series of
> small shops, no more than two stories high and in keeping with
> "lowcountry" architectural style. After WalMart was beaten down the
> owner of the property sued the city. As a result of a settlement he was
> granted a variance allowing construction of an up to 150,000 square foot
> building on the property. WalMart is back, proposing a 149,979 square
> foot Super Center. Arrrgh!
>
> No request for building permits have been filed with the City Planning
> Commission yet but it sure looks like we're in for another fight.
>
> Jill

Hey - they got beat in my area. They were ready to stick one on a big tract of treed, eco sensitive land - but they needed an easement or sumthn from a nearby church thru THEIR woods. The parishioners voted against it and Walmart gave up. It CAN be fought, but you really need to enlist all the help you can. It's worth fighting against, for sure.

"Ed Pawlowski" > wrote in message
...
> On 2/7/2015 6:12 PM, jmcquown wrote:
>
>> The original commercial zoning of the property called for a series of
>> small shops, no more than two stories high and in keeping with
>> "lowcountry" architectural style. After WalMart was beaten down the
>> owner of the property sued the city. As a result of a settlement he was
>> granted a variance allowing construction of an up to 150,000 square foot
>> building on the property. WalMart is back, proposing a 149,979 square
>> foot Super Center. Arrrgh!
>
> They don't give up. Neither do any of the big box outfits. It can take
> years, but they keep trying.
>
> Much as it was voted against, on opening day the parking lot will be
> filled.

Yes, but when they put it up for a ballot vote in our town and the majority
wanted it, then they tied it up for several years anyway, now the ground is
being broken.

Cheri

On 2/7/2015 6:34 PM, jmcquown wrote:

>
> I'm sure you're right. The zoning variance does require the parking be
> *behind* the store, and the front of the has to face the access road
> (Airport Circle) rather than Highway 21. I'm not sure how that will
> work out. Who wants to walk all the way around a huge building to get
> from their car to the store entrance?
>
> Jill

I'm sure they will find a way to have an entrance in the back as well as
the front.

jmcquown wrote:
> On 2/7/2015 6:29 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>> On 2/7/2015 6:12 PM, jmcquown wrote:
>>
>>> The original commercial zoning of the property called for a series of
>>> small shops, no more than two stories high and in keeping with
>>> "lowcountry" architectural style. After WalMart was beaten down the
>>> owner of the property sued the city. As a result of a settlement he
>>> was
>>> granted a variance allowing construction of an up to 150,000 square
>>> foot
>>> building on the property. WalMart is back, proposing a 149,979 square
>>> foot Super Center. Arrrgh!
>>
>> They don't give up. Neither do any of the big box outfits. It can take
>> years, but they keep trying.
>>
>> Much as it was voted against, on opening day the parking lot will be
>> filled.
>
> I'm sure you're right. The zoning variance does require the parking
> be *behind* the store, and the front of the has to face the access
> road (Airport Circle) rather than Highway 21. I'm not sure how that
> will work out. Who wants to walk all the way around a huge building
> to get from their car to the store entrance?
>
> Jill
>
The entrance will be in the rear. They have stores like that now, princess.

"Someone Else" > wrote in message
...
> jmcquown wrote:
>> On 2/7/2015 6:29 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>>> On 2/7/2015 6:12 PM, jmcquown wrote:
>>>
>>>> The original commercial zoning of the property called for a series of
>>>> small shops, no more than two stories high and in keeping with
>>>> "lowcountry" architectural style. After WalMart was beaten down the
>>>> owner of the property sued the city. As a result of a settlement he
>>>> was
>>>> granted a variance allowing construction of an up to 150,000 square
>>>> foot
>>>> building on the property. WalMart is back, proposing a 149,979 square
>>>> foot Super Center. Arrrgh!
>>>
>>> They don't give up. Neither do any of the big box outfits. It can take
>>> years, but they keep trying.
>>>
>>> Much as it was voted against, on opening day the parking lot will be
>>> filled.
>>
>> I'm sure you're right. The zoning variance does require the parking be
>> *behind* the store, and the front of the has to face the access road
>> (Airport Circle) rather than Highway 21. I'm not sure how that will work
>> out. Who wants to walk all the way around a huge building to get from
>> their car to the store entrance?
>>
>> Jill
>>
> The entrance will be in the rear. They have stores like that now,
> princess.

Yep. Very common here.

On 2/7/2015 10:32 PM, Julie Bove wrote:
>
> "Someone Else" > wrote in message
> ...
>> jmcquown wrote:
>>> On 2/7/2015 6:29 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>>>> On 2/7/2015 6:12 PM, jmcquown wrote:
>>>>
>>> I'm sure you're right. The zoning variance does require the parking
>>> be *behind* the store, and the front of the has to face the access
>>> road (Airport Circle) rather than Highway 21. I'm not sure how that
>>> will work out. Who wants to walk all the way around a huge building
>>> to get from their car to the store entrance?
>>>
>>> Jill
>>>
>> The entrance will be in the rear. They have stores like that now,
>> princess.
>
> Yep. Very common here.

I suppose marshes are common there, too? This particular piece of
property backs up to a salt marsh which is next to the Intracoastal
waterway. I suppose everyone will have to get there by boat.

Jill

Boat? Maybe they will use the unique concept of a driveway.

Walmart does their market research. If the customers weren't there, they wouldn't fight for the
location.

N.

On Sat, 07 Feb 2015 18:12:28 -0500, jmcquown >
wrote:

>In 2008-09 the residents in this area (Beaufort/Lady's Island/Saint
>Helena Island) fought (and won) against a proposed new WalMart Super
>Center on Lady's Island. The issue has reared it's ugly head again.
>
>The original commercial zoning of the property called for a series of
>small shops, no more than two stories high and in keeping with
>"lowcountry" architectural style. After WalMart was beaten down the
>owner of the property sued the city. As a result of a settlement he was
>granted a variance allowing construction of an up to 150,000 square foot
>building on the property. WalMart is back, proposing a 149,979 square
>foot Super Center. Arrrgh!
>
>No request for building permits have been filed with the City Planning
>Commission yet but it sure looks like we're in for another fight.



just curious Jill, what arguement did your group use to successfully
block Wally's move on to the island? A small town council near my
house refused to allow Wally World in a few years ago and what did
Wally do? Instead of one SuperCenter they built three surrounding the
town! The world's largest capitalist pig marches forward...the 800
pound gorilla of retailing. Can you believe K-Mart did'nt even notice
those country bumpkins back in the eighties.

William

"William" > wrote in message
...
> On Sat, 07 Feb 2015 18:12:28 -0500, jmcquown >
> wrote:
>
>>In 2008-09 the residents in this area (Beaufort/Lady's Island/Saint
>>Helena Island) fought (and won) against a proposed new WalMart Super
>>Center on Lady's Island. The issue has reared it's ugly head again.
>>
>>The original commercial zoning of the property called for a series of
>>small shops, no more than two stories high and in keeping with
>>"lowcountry" architectural style. After WalMart was beaten down the
>>owner of the property sued the city. As a result of a settlement he was
>>granted a variance allowing construction of an up to 150,000 square foot
>>building on the property. WalMart is back, proposing a 149,979 square
>>foot Super Center. Arrrgh!
>>
>>No request for building permits have been filed with the City Planning
>>Commission yet but it sure looks like we're in for another fight.
>
>
>
> just curious Jill, what arguement did your group use to successfully
> block Wally's move on to the island? A small town council near my
> house refused to allow Wally World in a few years ago and what did
> Wally do? Instead of one SuperCenter they built three surrounding the
> town!

and thus zero sales tax revenue to the "successful" town.

On 2/8/2015 9:27 AM, William wrote:
> just curious Jill, what arguement did your group use to successfully
> block Wally's move on to the island? A small town council near my
> house refused to allow Wally World in a few years ago and what did
> Wally do? Instead of one SuperCenter they built three surrounding the
> town! The world's largest capitalist pig marches forward...the 800
> pound gorilla of retailing. Can you believe K-Mart did'nt even notice
> those country bumpkins back in the eighties.
>
> William

I worked in management at Kmart back in the late 70's and early 80's and
they were very aware of Walmart. They even had a committee to study
Walmart and a lot of their recommendations about display and
merchandising and distribution were implemented.

Kmart would have been successful competing with Walmart except that the
upper management changed from marketing people to people with accounting
backgrounds. When the bean-counters took over, things started going
downhill fast. Walmart was always run by people whose background was in
marketing... and the bean counters were no match.

You build a business from the front door in (from the customer's point
of view), not from the back office out (the accounting management point
of view).

George L

"George Leppla" > wrote in message
...
> On 2/8/2015 9:27 AM, William wrote:
>> just curious Jill, what arguement did your group use to successfully
>> block Wally's move on to the island? A small town council near my
>> house refused to allow Wally World in a few years ago and what did
>> Wally do? Instead of one SuperCenter they built three surrounding the
>> town! The world's largest capitalist pig marches forward...the 800
>> pound gorilla of retailing. Can you believe K-Mart did'nt even notice
>> those country bumpkins back in the eighties.
>>
>> William
>
> I worked in management at Kmart back in the late 70's and early 80's and
> they were very aware of Walmart. They even had a committee to study
> Walmart and a lot of their recommendations about display and merchandising
> and distribution were implemented.
>
> Kmart would have been successful competing with Walmart except that the
> upper management changed from marketing people to people with accounting
> backgrounds. When the bean-counters took over, things started going
> downhill fast. Walmart was always run by people whose background was in
> marketing... and the bean counters were no match.
>
> You build a business from the front door in (from the customer's point of
> view), not from the back office out (the accounting management point of
> view).

and how is government built?

On Saturday, February 7, 2015 at 5:12:44 PM UTC-6, jmcquown wrote:
> WalMart is back, proposing a 149,979 square
> foot Super Center. Arrrgh!
>
> No request for building permits have been filed with the City Planning
> Commission yet but it sure looks like we're in for another fight.
>
> Jill

Jill, you hav my sympathy, I hate Walmart, no matter where it is. When I lived in the East Mountain area of NM, they tred to ut in a Walmart, the residents fought back, I was very pleased
but I understand now, they have one !!!

On 2/8/2015 10:34 AM, Pico Rico wrote:

>> just curious Jill, what arguement did your group use to successfully
>> block Wally's move on to the island? A small town council near my
>> house refused to allow Wally World in a few years ago and what did
>> Wally do? Instead of one SuperCenter they built three surrounding the
>> town!
>
> and thus zero sales tax revenue to the "successful" town.
>
>

Would not matter here. The local town government would get property
taxes, but they don't get a penny of the sales tax. That all goes to
the state.

On Sun, 08 Feb 2015 08:11:08 -0500, jmcquown >
wrote:

> On 2/7/2015 10:32 PM, Julie Bove wrote:
> >
> > "Someone Else" > wrote in message
> > ...
> >> jmcquown wrote:
> >>> On 2/7/2015 6:29 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> >>>> On 2/7/2015 6:12 PM, jmcquown wrote:
> >>>>
> >>> I'm sure you're right. The zoning variance does require the parking
> >>> be *behind* the store, and the front of the has to face the access
> >>> road (Airport Circle) rather than Highway 21. I'm not sure how that
> >>> will work out. Who wants to walk all the way around a huge building
> >>> to get from their car to the store entrance?
> >>>
> >>> Jill
> >>>
> >> The entrance will be in the rear. They have stores like that now,
> >> princess.
> >
> > Yep. Very common here.
>
> I suppose marshes are common there, too? This particular piece of
> property backs up to a salt marsh which is next to the Intracoastal
> waterway. I suppose everyone will have to get there by boat.
>

Don't worry. If Walmart goes up, they'll drain the marsh.


--
A kitchen without a cook is just a room

Pico Rico" wrote:
>"George Leppla" > wrote
>> On 2/8/2015 9:27 AM, William wrote:
>>> just curious Jill, what arguement did your group use to successfully
>>> block Wally's move on to the island? A small town council near my
>>> house refused to allow Wally World in a few years ago and what did
>>> Wally do? Instead of one SuperCenter they built three surrounding the
>>> town! The world's largest capitalist pig marches forward...the 800
>>> pound gorilla of retailing. Can you believe K-Mart did'nt even notice
>>> those country bumpkins back in the eighties.
>>>
>>> William
>>
>> I worked in management at Kmart back in the late 70's and early 80's and
>> they were very aware of Walmart. They even had a committee to study
>> Walmart and a lot of their recommendations about display and merchandising
>> and distribution were implemented.
>>
>> Kmart would have been successful competing with Walmart except that the
>> upper management changed from marketing people to people with accounting
>> backgrounds. When the bean-counters took over, things started going
>> downhill fast. Walmart was always run by people whose background was in
>> marketing... and the bean counters were no match.
>>
>> You build a business from the front door in (from the customer's point of
>> view), not from the back office out (the accounting management point of
>> view).
>
>and how is government built?

Emulating organized crime.

On 2/8/2015 1:11 PM, sf wrote:
> On Sun, 08 Feb 2015 08:11:08 -0500, jmcquown >
> wrote:
>
>> On 2/7/2015 10:32 PM, Julie Bove wrote:
>>>
>>> "Someone Else" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> jmcquown wrote:
>>>>> On 2/7/2015 6:29 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>>>>>> On 2/7/2015 6:12 PM, jmcquown wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>> I'm sure you're right. The zoning variance does require the parking
>>>>> be *behind* the store, and the front of the has to face the access
>>>>> road (Airport Circle) rather than Highway 21. I'm not sure how that
>>>>> will work out. Who wants to walk all the way around a huge building
>>>>> to get from their car to the store entrance?
>>>>>
>>>>> Jill
>>>>>
>>>> The entrance will be in the rear. They have stores like that now,
>>>> princess.
>>>
>>> Yep. Very common here.
>>
>> I suppose marshes are common there, too? This particular piece of
>> property backs up to a salt marsh which is next to the Intracoastal
>> waterway. I suppose everyone will have to get there by boat.
>>
>
> Don't worry. If Walmart goes up, they'll drain the marsh.
>
>
Not if the area residents have anything to say about it, like last time.

Jill

On Sunday, February 8, 2015 at 9:52:27 AM UTC-7, rosie wrote:
> On Saturday, February 7, 2015 at 5:12:44 PM UTC-6, jmcquown wrote:
> > WalMart is back, proposing a 149,979 square
> > foot Super Center. Arrrgh!
> >
> > No request for building permits have been filed with the City Planning
> > Commission yet but it sure looks like we're in for another fight.
> >
> > Jill
>
> Jill, you hav my sympathy, I hate Walmart, no matter where it is. When I lived in the East Mountain area of NM, they tred to ut in a Walmart, the residents fought back, I was very pleased
> but I understand now, they have one !!!

Our closest Walmart is an hour's drive. Horrible store...poorly trained staff, sloppy merchandising, messy, dirty shelving, poorly stocked shelves, lots of missing merchandise with empty hooks in pegboards. Looks like supervision totally lacking with no co-ordination between sections (each clerk seems to have his/her own domain), no knowledge of where other goods are located.
=====

On 2/8/2015 1:34 PM, jmcquown wrote:

>>> I suppose marshes are common there, too? This particular piece of
>>> property backs up to a salt marsh which is next to the Intracoastal
>>> waterway. I suppose everyone will have to get there by boat.
>>>
>>
>> Don't worry. If Walmart goes up, they'll drain the marsh.
>>
>>
> Not if the area residents have anything to say about it, like last time.
>
> Jill
When they expanded the store in our town they had some stream and
drainage issues to deal with. They must have spent a fortune but is
sure looks good.

The local authorities told them what had to be done and they had to
comply. No negotiating with environmental issues like they could years
ago.

On Sunday, February 8, 2015 at 9:30:13 AM UTC-10, Roy wrote:
> On Sunday, February 8, 2015 at 9:52:27 AM UTC-7, rosie wrote:
> > On Saturday, February 7, 2015 at 5:12:44 PM UTC-6, jmcquown wrote:
> > > WalMart is back, proposing a 149,979 square
> > > foot Super Center. Arrrgh!
> > >
> > > No request for building permits have been filed with the City Planning
> > > Commission yet but it sure looks like we're in for another fight.
> > >
> > > Jill
> >
> > Jill, you hav my sympathy, I hate Walmart, no matter where it is. When I lived in the East Mountain area of NM, they tred to ut in a Walmart, the residents fought back, I was very pleased
> > but I understand now, they have one !!!
>
> Our closest Walmart is an hour's drive. Horrible store...poorly trained staff, sloppy merchandising, messy, dirty shelving, poorly stocked shelves, lots of missing merchandise with empty hooks in pegboards. Looks like supervision totally lacking with no co-ordination between sections (each clerk seems to have his/her own domain), no knowledge of where other goods are located.
> =====

This just goes to show you that low, low, prices trumps everything else - including all that fancy extras like training for the employees. :-)

On Saturday, February 7, 2015 at 1:12:44 PM UTC-10, jmcquown wrote:
> In 2008-09 the residents in this area (Beaufort/Lady's Island/Saint
> Helena Island) fought (and won) against a proposed new WalMart Super
> Center on Lady's Island. The issue has reared it's ugly head again.
>
> The original commercial zoning of the property called for a series of
> small shops, no more than two stories high and in keeping with
> "lowcountry" architectural style. After WalMart was beaten down the
> owner of the property sued the city. As a result of a settlement he was
> granted a variance allowing construction of an up to 150,000 square foot
> building on the property. WalMart is back, proposing a 149,979 square
> foot Super Center. Arrrgh!
>
> No request for building permits have been filed with the City Planning
> Commission yet but it sure looks like we're in for another fight.
>
> Jill

Those guys opened up a 300,000+ sq ft Walmart/Sam's Club on the busiest section of street in Honolulu. It seemed like an insane idea at the time and logic tells you that's not going to work. The strange part is these days the traffic moves faster. That just goes to show you the value of good traffic management.

The Sam's Club is a lot better shopping experience than Costco, which truly feels like being in a rat race. Shopping at the Walmart is a rat race but as far as rat races goes, it's scale is epic.

On 2/8/2015 10:02 AM, Pico Rico wrote:
> "George Leppla" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On 2/8/2015 9:27 AM, William wrote:
>>> just curious Jill, what arguement did your group use to successfully
>>> block Wally's move on to the island? A small town council near my
>>> house refused to allow Wally World in a few years ago and what did
>>> Wally do? Instead of one SuperCenter they built three surrounding the
>>> town! The world's largest capitalist pig marches forward...the 800
>>> pound gorilla of retailing. Can you believe K-Mart did'nt even notice
>>> those country bumpkins back in the eighties.
>>>
>>> William
>>
>> I worked in management at Kmart back in the late 70's and early 80's and
>> they were very aware of Walmart. They even had a committee to study
>> Walmart and a lot of their recommendations about display and merchandising
>> and distribution were implemented.
>>
>> Kmart would have been successful competing with Walmart except that the
>> upper management changed from marketing people to people with accounting
>> backgrounds. When the bean-counters took over, things started going
>> downhill fast. Walmart was always run by people whose background was in
>> marketing... and the bean counters were no match.
>>
>> You build a business from the front door in (from the customer's point of
>> view), not from the back office out (the accounting management point of
>> view).
>
> and how is government built?
>
>
On lies.

--
From somewhere very deep in the heart of Texas

On 2/8/2015 12:34 PM, jmcquown wrote:
> On 2/8/2015 1:11 PM, sf wrote:

>>> I suppose marshes are common there, too? This particular piece of
>>> property backs up to a salt marsh which is next to the Intracoastal
>>> waterway. I suppose everyone will have to get there by boat.
>>>
>>
>> Don't worry. If Walmart goes up, they'll drain the marsh.
>>
>>
> Not if the area residents have anything to say about it, like last time.

The EPA might have a few words as well.


--
From somewhere very deep in the heart of Texas

On 2/8/2015 10:58 AM, George Leppla wrote:
> On 2/8/2015 9:27 AM, William wrote:
>> just curious Jill, what arguement did your group use to successfully
>> block Wally's move on to the island? A small town council near my
>> house refused to allow Wally World in a few years ago and what did
>> Wally do? Instead of one SuperCenter they built three surrounding the
>> town! The world's largest capitalist pig marches forward...the 800
>> pound gorilla of retailing. Can you believe K-Mart did'nt even notice
>> those country bumpkins back in the eighties.
>>
>> William
>
I have no idea. I had just arrived here to help my mother out with my
dad (he had Alzheimers). After he died she asked me to stay. So I only
read blurbs about the fight against WalMart in the local paper, we
weren't really involved with it. IIRC aside from the property not being
zoned for such a large structure there were also environmental issues.
Much of this area is (allegedly) protected wetlands.

Jill

> I worked in management at Kmart back in the late 70's and early 80's and
> they were very aware of Walmart. They even had a committee to study
> Walmart and a lot of their recommendations about display and
> merchandising and distribution were implemented.
>
> Kmart would have been successful competing with Walmart except that the
> upper management changed from marketing people to people with accounting
> backgrounds. When the bean-counters took over, things started going
> downhill fast. Walmart was always run by people whose background was in
> marketing... and the bean counters were no match.
>
> You build a business from the front door in (from the customer's point
> of view), not from the back office out (the accounting management point
> of view).
>
> George L

On 2/8/2015 11:52 AM, rosie wrote:
> On Saturday, February 7, 2015 at 5:12:44 PM UTC-6, jmcquown wrote:
>> WalMart is back, proposing a 149,979 square
>> foot Super Center. Arrrgh!
>>
>> No request for building permits have been filed with the City Planning
>> Commission yet but it sure looks like we're in for another fight.
>>
>> Jill
>
> Jill, you hav my sympathy, I hate Walmart, no matter where it is. When I lived in the East Mountain area of NM, they tred to ut in a Walmart, the residents fought back, I was very pleased
> but I understand now, they have one !!!
>
There's already a WalMart Super Center in Beaufort which is only about
20 miles further, if that, from the possible new location. People who
like to shop at WalMart apparently haven't had any problems going to the
existing one.

Jill

"jmcquown" > wrote in message
...
> On 2/7/2015 10:32 PM, Julie Bove wrote:
>>
>> "Someone Else" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> jmcquown wrote:
>>>> On 2/7/2015 6:29 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>>>>> On 2/7/2015 6:12 PM, jmcquown wrote:
>>>>>
>>>> I'm sure you're right. The zoning variance does require the parking
>>>> be *behind* the store, and the front of the has to face the access
>>>> road (Airport Circle) rather than Highway 21. I'm not sure how that
>>>> will work out. Who wants to walk all the way around a huge building
>>>> to get from their car to the store entrance?
>>>>
>>>> Jill
>>>>
>>> The entrance will be in the rear. They have stores like that now,
>>> princess.
>>
>> Yep. Very common here.
>
> I suppose marshes are common there, too? This particular piece of
> property backs up to a salt marsh which is next to the Intracoastal
> waterway. I suppose everyone will have to get there by boat.
>
> Jill

We do have some marshes but I wouldn't say they are all that common. But
the trend here for the newer strip malls is to build them very close to the
sidewalk so that you can see them from the street. What you can't see from
the street is the parking. That and the entrances to the places are in the
rear. I can think of two in different cities and both are called
Crossroads.

"George Leppla" > wrote in message
...
> On 2/8/2015 9:27 AM, William wrote:
>> just curious Jill, what arguement did your group use to successfully
>> block Wally's move on to the island? A small town council near my
>> house refused to allow Wally World in a few years ago and what did
>> Wally do? Instead of one SuperCenter they built three surrounding the
>> town! The world's largest capitalist pig marches forward...the 800
>> pound gorilla of retailing. Can you believe K-Mart did'nt even notice
>> those country bumpkins back in the eighties.
>>
>> William
>
> I worked in management at Kmart back in the late 70's and early 80's and
> they were very aware of Walmart. They even had a committee to study
> Walmart and a lot of their recommendations about display and merchandising
> and distribution were implemented.
>
> Kmart would have been successful competing with Walmart except that the
> upper management changed from marketing people to people with accounting
> backgrounds. When the bean-counters took over, things started going
> downhill fast. Walmart was always run by people whose background was in
> marketing... and the bean counters were no match.
>
> You build a business from the front door in (from the customer's point of
> view), not from the back office out (the accounting management point of
> view).
>
> George L

I worked for K Mart during those years too and then some. We did not have
Walmart in this area then. In fact we didn't get it until I moved away.
But one of my coworkers had worked for Walmart prior so people were always
asking her about the differences. We also made it a point to find Walmarts
when we were on vacation so we could report things back.

This is just my opinion but I think K Mart's biggest mistake was to try to
be more upscale. We were told that they wanted to be more like the Bon
Marche. That really backfired on them. People wanted the cheap, Dollar
Days stuff like Landers cosmetics and poor quality tools. Not all were poor
quality. I still have a $1 hammer.

On 2/8/2015 8:42 PM, Julie Bove wrote:
>
> "jmcquown" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On 2/7/2015 10:32 PM, Julie Bove wrote:
>>>
>>> "Someone Else" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> jmcquown wrote:
>>>>> On 2/7/2015 6:29 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>>>>>> On 2/7/2015 6:12 PM, jmcquown wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>> I'm sure you're right. The zoning variance does require the parking
>>>>> be *behind* the store, and the front of the has to face the access
>>>>> road (Airport Circle) rather than Highway 21. I'm not sure how that
>>>>> will work out. Who wants to walk all the way around a huge building
>>>>> to get from their car to the store entrance?
>>>>>
>>>>> Jill
>>>>>
>>>> The entrance will be in the rear. They have stores like that now,
>>>> princess.
>>>
>>> Yep. Very common here.
>>
>> I suppose marshes are common there, too? This particular piece of
>> property backs up to a salt marsh which is next to the Intracoastal
>> waterway. I suppose everyone will have to get there by boat.
>>
>> Jill
>
> We do have some marshes but I wouldn't say they are all that common.
> But the trend here for the newer strip malls is to build them very close
> to the sidewalk so that you can see them from the street. What you
> can't see from the street is the parking. That and the entrances to the
> places are in the rear. I can think of two in different cities and both
> are called Crossroads.

A (so-called) strip mall - with some architecural design constrictions -
is what this piece of land was originally zoned for. It made much more
sense, asthetically speaking. Around here it's a string of islands. To
the south of where I live (Saint Helena) is Hunting Island (which is a
National Park) and Fripp Island. Head to the north of me, next up is
Lady's Island where they want to build the 2nd Walmart. You have to
cross bridges to get to Beaufort, which is on the mainland.

Jill

On 2/8/2015 3:53 PM, dsi1 wrote:

>> Our closest Walmart is an hour's drive. Horrible store...poorly trained staff, sloppy merchandising, messy, dirty shelving, poorly stocked shelves, lots of missing merchandise with empty hooks in pegboards. Looks like supervision totally lacking with no co-ordination between sections (each clerk seems to have his/her own domain), no knowledge of where other goods are located.
>> =====
>
> This just goes to show you that low, low, prices trumps everything else - including all that fancy extras like training for the employees. :-)
>

Not typical from my experience. I do know of one that is mediocre at
best and so are most of the clientele. Others I've been to have always
been at least "acceptable" in neatness and cleanliness.

On 2/8/2015 10:24 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> On 2/8/2015 3:53 PM, dsi1 wrote:
>
>>> Our closest Walmart is an hour's drive. Horrible store...poorly
>>> trained staff, sloppy merchandising, messy, dirty shelving, poorly
>>> stocked shelves, lots of missing merchandise with empty hooks in
>>> pegboards. Looks like supervision totally lacking with no
>>> co-ordination between sections (each clerk seems to have his/her own
>>> domain), no knowledge of where other goods are located.
>>> =====
>>
>> This just goes to show you that low, low, prices trumps everything
>> else - including all that fancy extras like training for the
>> employees. :-)
>>
>
> Not typical from my experience. I do know of one that is mediocre at
> best and so are most of the clientele. Others I've been to have always
> been at least "acceptable" in neatness and cleanliness.

All I remember is last year (or maybe the year before) calling the
WalMart in Beaufort to check the price of corned beef brisket. I was on
hold forever waiting for someone in the meat department to pick up the
phone. The "receptionist" (or whatever her title is) put me on hold
then had to ask repeatedly why I was calling. Someone else finally
picked up the phone; apparently the first woman went on break or some
such BS. Lather, rinse, repeat. A manager finally picked up but he
said he was at a phone in the women's department. Dammit, I want to
know the price of corned beef brisket! It was absolutely ridiculous.

Jill

"jmcquown" > wrote in message
...
> On 2/8/2015 10:24 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>> On 2/8/2015 3:53 PM, dsi1 wrote:
>>
>>>> Our closest Walmart is an hour's drive. Horrible store...poorly
>>>> trained staff, sloppy merchandising, messy, dirty shelving, poorly
>>>> stocked shelves, lots of missing merchandise with empty hooks in
>>>> pegboards. Looks like supervision totally lacking with no
>>>> co-ordination between sections (each clerk seems to have his/her own
>>>> domain), no knowledge of where other goods are located.
>>>> =====
>>>
>>> This just goes to show you that low, low, prices trumps everything
>>> else - including all that fancy extras like training for the
>>> employees. :-)
>>>
>>
>> Not typical from my experience. I do know of one that is mediocre at
>> best and so are most of the clientele. Others I've been to have always
>> been at least "acceptable" in neatness and cleanliness.
>
> All I remember is last year (or maybe the year before) calling the WalMart
> in Beaufort to check the price of corned beef brisket. I was on hold
> forever waiting for someone in the meat department to pick up the phone.
> The "receptionist" (or whatever her title is) put me on hold then had to
> ask repeatedly why I was calling. Someone else finally picked up the
> phone; apparently the first woman went on break or some such BS. Lather,
> rinse, repeat. A manager finally picked up but he said he was at a phone
> in the women's department. Dammit, I want to know the price of corned
> beef brisket! It was absolutely ridiculous.

That's exactly why I don't usually call stores. When I worked in a store I
would try to answer the phone right away but most of the time it was simply
impossible. We were constantly short staffed and most of the time I was
stuck working in some other department. So even if I could answer the
phone, I couldn't often go to the department where I needed to go to check
whatever it was.

On 2/8/2015 11:22 PM, Julie Bove wrote:
>
> "jmcquown" > wrote in message
>>
>> All I remember is last year (or maybe the year before) calling the
>> WalMart in Beaufort to check the price of corned beef brisket. I was
>> on hold forever waiting for someone in the meat department to pick up
>> the phone. The "receptionist" (or whatever her title is) put me on
>> hold then had to ask repeatedly why I was calling. Someone else
>> finally picked up the phone; apparently the first woman went on break
>> or some such BS. Lather, rinse, repeat. A manager finally picked up
>> but he said he was at a phone in the women's department. Dammit, I
>> want to know the price of corned beef brisket! It was absolutely
>> ridiculous.
>
> That's exactly why I don't usually call stores. When I worked in a
> store I would try to answer the phone right away but most of the time it
> was simply impossible. We were constantly short staffed and most of the
> time I was stuck working in some other department. So even if I could
> answer the phone, I couldn't often go to the department where I needed
> to go to check whatever it was.

WalMart has been the *only* store I've had any difficult in phoning.
EVER. Publix has a telephone menu system that actually works. Want to
talk to someone in produce? Easy. Meat department, seafood department,
easy. The phone rings in that section and someone *always* answers the
phone. They're perfectly willing to check to see if something is in
stock and tell you the price. Same thing with Food Lion.

I've only *ever* encountered that sort runaround at the WalMart in
Beaufort. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I really don't
want to buy food at a place that also sells cheap looking clothing.

I have *never* had a problem calling an actual supermarket when I've had
any questions, no matter where I lived.

Jill

On Sunday, February 8, 2015 at 5:25:01 PM UTC-10, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> On 2/8/2015 3:53 PM, dsi1 wrote:
>
> >> Our closest Walmart is an hour's drive. Horrible store...poorly trained staff, sloppy merchandising, messy, dirty shelving, poorly stocked shelves, lots of missing merchandise with empty hooks in pegboards. Looks like supervision totally lacking with no co-ordination between sections (each clerk seems to have his/her own domain), no knowledge of where other goods are located.
> >> =====
> >
> > This just goes to show you that low, low, prices trumps everything else - including all that fancy extras like training for the employees. :-)
> >
>
> Not typical from my experience. I do know of one that is mediocre at
> best and so are most of the clientele. Others I've been to have always
> been at least "acceptable" in neatness and cleanliness.

The one in Honolulu is pretty well run but a factor is how much money per sq ft the place generates. My guess is that it's an awesome amount. A lot of the business is tourists. All that cash is going to keep the joint from being mediocre.

"jmcquown" > wrote in message
...
> On 2/8/2015 11:22 PM, Julie Bove wrote:
>>
>> "jmcquown" > wrote in message
>>>
>>> All I remember is last year (or maybe the year before) calling the
>>> WalMart in Beaufort to check the price of corned beef brisket. I was
>>> on hold forever waiting for someone in the meat department to pick up
>>> the phone. The "receptionist" (or whatever her title is) put me on
>>> hold then had to ask repeatedly why I was calling. Someone else
>>> finally picked up the phone; apparently the first woman went on break
>>> or some such BS. Lather, rinse, repeat. A manager finally picked up
>>> but he said he was at a phone in the women's department. Dammit, I
>>> want to know the price of corned beef brisket! It was absolutely
>>> ridiculous.
>>
>> That's exactly why I don't usually call stores. When I worked in a
>> store I would try to answer the phone right away but most of the time it
>> was simply impossible. We were constantly short staffed and most of the
>> time I was stuck working in some other department. So even if I could
>> answer the phone, I couldn't often go to the department where I needed
>> to go to check whatever it was.
>
> WalMart has been the *only* store I've had any difficult in phoning. EVER.
> Publix has a telephone menu system that actually works. Want to talk to
> someone in produce? Easy. Meat department, seafood department, easy.
> The phone rings in that section and someone *always* answers the phone.
> They're perfectly willing to check to see if something is in stock and
> tell you the price. Same thing with Food Lion.
>
> I've only *ever* encountered that sort runaround at the WalMart in
> Beaufort. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I really don't want
> to buy food at a place that also sells cheap looking clothing.
>
> I have *never* had a problem calling an actual supermarket when I've had
> any questions, no matter where I lived.

I've only had to call one once and that was to customer service.

On 2/9/2015 3:33 AM, Julie Bove wrote:
>
> "jmcquown" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On 2/8/2015 11:22 PM, Julie Bove wrote:
>>>
>>> "jmcquown" > wrote in message
>>>>
>>>> All I remember is last year (or maybe the year before) calling the
>>>> WalMart in Beaufort to check the price of corned beef brisket. I was
>>>> on hold forever waiting for someone in the meat department to pick up
>>>> the phone. The "receptionist" (or whatever her title is) put me on
>>>> hold then had to ask repeatedly why I was calling. Someone else
>>>> finally picked up the phone; apparently the first woman went on break
>>>> or some such BS. Lather, rinse, repeat. A manager finally picked up
>>>> but he said he was at a phone in the women's department. Dammit, I
>>>> want to know the price of corned beef brisket! It was absolutely
>>>> ridiculous.
>>>
>>> That's exactly why I don't usually call stores. When I worked in a
>>> store I would try to answer the phone right away but most of the time it
>>> was simply impossible. We were constantly short staffed and most of the
>>> time I was stuck working in some other department. So even if I could
>>> answer the phone, I couldn't often go to the department where I needed
>>> to go to check whatever it was.
>>
Not all stores have that problem.

>> WalMart has been the *only* store I've had any difficult in phoning.
>> EVER. Publix has a telephone menu system that actually works. Want to
>> talk to someone in produce? Easy. Meat department, seafood
>> department, easy. The phone rings in that section and someone *always*
>> answers the phone. They're perfectly willing to check to see if
>> something is in stock and tell you the price. Same thing with Food Lion.
>>
>> I've only *ever* encountered that sort runaround at the WalMart in
>> Beaufort. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I really don't
>> want to buy food at a place that also sells cheap looking clothing.
>>
>> I have *never* had a problem calling an actual supermarket when I've
>> had any questions, no matter where I lived. >>Jill
>
> I've only had to call one once and that was to customer service.

So you won't call stores because of *one* experience? How typical.

Jill

On 2/9/2015 12:02 AM, jmcquown wrote:

>
> I've said it before and I'll say it again, I really don't
> want to buy food at a place that also sells cheap looking clothing.

For the most part, I agree. They tend to carry some of the cheaper,
lower quality brands. Most of the meat is brine injected stuff. OTOH,
they also carry the same exact name brand items the other stores have,
but at lower prices. I can grab a half dozen items and save 5 bucks.
It is not where I do my regular shopping though.