93 replies to this topic

[bishmasterb]

I think Wal-Mart is not an ethical company. They treat their employees terribly, paying just minimum
wage, and encouraging them to apply for food stamps.

Sorry, but I think you've been bitten by the anti-Walmart bug.

WalMart pays its employees better wages than many of its competitors. That's why, WalMart has recently been an advocate of raising the minimum wage to adversely affect its competitors, because WalMart's employees are paid between $8.23 and $9.68 at a national average.

Source: http://www.mises.org/story/1950

As far as "treating their employees terribly", that's just hyperbole. Every single WalMart employee ever hired, in the history of their company, was there of their own free will. Every single one of them believed that, for whatever reason, working at WalMart was the best choice available to them.

When a Wal-Mart comes to town, many small businesses close. Why? Wal-Mart has the buying power to purchase goods at such a small amount, and then sell it for at cost sometimes, the local business owner cannot compete.

This is called competition. It's the nature of business. It's why things are much cheaper today than they were before.

In a past life, I was on the wrong end of this. I owned a small computer retail store in the late eighties and early nineties, just before IBM compatibles and Apples started showing up in the large retailers. Small Apple dealerships are virtually extinct now for example. Times change. People have to stay competitive with the marketplace and adapt.

This Supercenter will most likely have an impact on the local grocery stores. A couple of stores
have closed lately, and I fear that more will after the Supercenter opens. Personally, I like
going down to my local Bel-Air, (and this could be any other grocery store in town), being greeted
by friendly employees, have the freshest produce, meat, and dairy available. If I can't find
something, there is always an employee around to ask. Would I find this at Wal-Mart? No.
I am not rich, far from it, but if shopping at Wal-Mart would save me $20 a week, maybe even
$30, it's not worth it.

I sympathize with you. I don't necessarily like WalMart either, and for the most part I choose not to shop there. But I am free, as are you, to shop anywhere you please.

[sat]

I agree with you, bish..., that I have probably been stung by the anti-Walmart bug. I know of
three different people who have been employed there at various times, and all three rate
that time as the worst period of their employed lives. But your are correct, nobody forced
them to work there.

I am also a little jaded in this subject. I worked many years in the grocery business, right after
high school, through college, and then starting out with my career. My job provided me with
medical benefits, plus a fairly good wage, and I was a happy employee. I think happy employees
equals happy customers.

Thanks for your input. I guess I feel so passionately about this subject because it is so close
to my house. I worry about the traffic. To be honest, if I learned a Supercenter was going
to be built across town, I am not sure I would feel as strongly as I do.

[Farley]

Interesting that in today's (Sunday's) Folsom/Neighborhood section of the Sac Bee... the article stated that the "refurbishing" of the old store would not occur until the SuperCenter is open. Hmmmmmmm... sounds like WalMart is using this as a ploy to get their new store built... and then will go ahead and close their old store on Riley and Glenn when the new one is open for business. Who is going to stop them. It does not make economic sense to have two WalMart stores within such a short distance.

The city should really look into this if refurbishing the old store is going to be part of the approval process. Also... they should consider making WalMart pay for all the infrastructure improvements to make sure traffic doesn't become a bigger problem. Its already very congested in the E Bidwell and Iron Point area and everything isn't built yet.

Well, I for one am very happy that the new Wal-Mart will be out of the immediate Folsom area. The traffic congestion around Riley and Glenn is pretty bad due to the Post Office. More than anything Folsom needs a post office with adequate parking. There is always such a traffic jam in the post office parking lot.

Folsom is gradually growing toward Empire Ranch both from Blue Ravine/Natoma and also off Iron Point. When the sphere of influence crosses HIWY 50, folks out that direction will see more and more traffic. East Bidwell from the Dept. of Motor Vehicles up to Blue Ravine is really narrow and congested. The older, smaller streets of Folsom are not equipped for all the traffic. Hopefully there are plans to keep East Bidwell and Iron Point traffic moving. Iron Point used to end at BlackDiamond. Look what has happened in the ten years since they opened Iron Point ...Safeway, new high school, apartments galore, new housing, Kaiser, many office buildings, Broadstone area malls, Sams, Costco, and next Circuit City and then the Super WalMart. When I moved to Folsom in 1994 none of that was there.

Edited by Farley, 23 April 2006 - 03:08 PM.

[bishmasterb]

I guess I feel so passionately about this subject because it is so close
to my house. I worry about the traffic. To be honest, if I learned a Supercenter was going
to be built across town, I am not sure I would feel as strongly as I do.

I sympathize entirely.

[mylo]

I dislike Wal-Mart and not just because of the bug. Then again, I only shop there as a last resort, so I'm hardly their target market and they won't be seeing much of my dollars funding their mass expansion.

I prefer smaller stores, and higher quality products and service. I'm willing to pay more for that and shop at local retailers accordingly.

I have to say that I too am glad it's being built on the other side of town Wal-Mart's seem to attract scumbags. I had to stop in on one last Friday to purchase a fishing license. After half an hour of running around the store trying to find anyone to help me, making my purchase, and running quickly out of there, I felt like I needed a shower!

Well, I for one am very happy that the new Wal-Mart will be out of the immediate Folsom area. The traffic congestion around Riley and Glenn is pretty bad due to the Post Office. More than anything Folsom needs a post office with adequate parking. There is always such a traffic jam in the post office parking lot.

Farley, why do you actually go to the Post Office? I've lived here for 3 years, and have never once stepped foot inside.

Chuck Norris has two speeds: Walk, and Kill.

Edited by mylo, 24 April 2006 - 08:47 AM.

[Redone]

More correct than "is zoned for this use" would be " Just got REZONED for this use". If Super Walmart was disclosed at that time it would've never passed then. Right??

[DrKoz23]

On the subject of Walmart - I too am having a hard time believing that they will build a new store and then expand the existing site. I said exactly that to the representative of Walmart that called me last week. I also suggested that they talk to the owner of the center and, instead of adding more space, modify the existing center to take over some of the existing VACANT spaces. Walmart is insisting that they really do need to have 2 stores in Folsom, because of the development that was approved south of 50 - at which point I explained that they might want to check their information again - as there IS NO APPROVED PROJECT SOUTH OF 50. Another important item - the City has not invited Walmart to build a super store - the property is already zoned for this type of use - and I believe that this will go to the Architectural Review Commission - and would only come to the Council in the event that an approval or denial was granted and then appealed. For those who feel strongly about this - either way - please watch the agendas for ARC, Planning Commission and the Council - or email the council members.

Kerri Howell

I am glad that you have questioned WalMart in terms of keeping their old store open after the SuperCenter is built. There doesn't appear much room to expand... and another WalMart within 5 miles seems like a rather poor economic decision. I find it funny that the Sac Bee article stated that the expansion and rebuild of the old WalMart would not come until after the SuperCenter is built. We'll see... but I'll still place my money on the store closing. If WalMart does close their existing store after the new opening... the Riley/Glenn center will be rather vacant... and hopefully someone will step up to fill the space. With retail space in the E Bidwell/Iron Point area more attractive... it may be a little tough.

Is SuperWalmart a concern to the city in terms of other grocery stores closing in the city. There already seems to be an abundance of grocers in the City of Folsom... and I can't imagine all of them surviving either. This would spell more vacant space.

I understand the land is already zoned commercial... and there is little that can be done to prevent the construction of a Super WalMart. Even if the Super WalMart does get built... are there any plans on improving the infrastructure in the area. Traffic is already an issue in the E Bidwell and Iron Point area... and it isn't even completely built out. Will this even be considered during ANY approval process... because it should be an issue.

Oh... by the way... I totally agree on the Post Office comments. I even go to the El Dorado Hill Post Office if I need to go. Farther away... but more convenient when you get there.

Thank you for your comments.

[Redone]

I understand the land is already zoned commercial...

It just got rezoned a few months ago !

[ducky]

It just got rezoned a few months ago !

What did it get rezoned from? Who was involved? Anybody know?

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

Absolutely. Unless there's a significant cost difference, I always go to MBE. No lines...no wait...and no smell! The post office has an interesting smell to it, sort of a stale odor.

MBE charges significantly more to mail packages than does the Post Office. I need to mail packets to clients from time to time, but I always use the DIY machine in the lobby.

[granto]

I am glad that you have questioned WalMart in terms of keeping their old store open after the SuperCenter is built. There doesn't appear much room to expand... and another WalMart within 5 miles seems like a rather poor economic decision. I find it funny that the Sac Bee article stated that the expansion and rebuild of the old WalMart would not come until after the SuperCenter is built.

Ever been to Roseville? There are 2 Walmarts within 5 miles of each other. Seems to me that they are following a model that works well in a growing community. If you want only 1 Wal-mart, stop building homes!!

You are right about not being able to support two stores, especially if Orangevale has their own Wal-Mart.

What about EDH? less than a mile away from 20k homes! Again, look at Roseville (and soon Natomas and Elk Grove)

[bishmasterb]

MBE charges significantly more to mail packages than does the Post Office. I need to mail packets to clients from time to time, but I always use the DIY machine in the lobby.

True. But it comes down to service (hmmm, kind of like this Walmart versus smaller retailers discussion). I can walk into MBE toss them something with an address and they'll box it for me, and just take care of it. Generally with no wait.

[DrKoz23]

Ever been to Roseville? There are 2 Walmarts within 5 miles of each other. Seems to me that they are following a model that works well in a growing community. If you want only 1 Wal-mart, stop building homes!!
What about EDH? less than a mile away from 20k homes! Again, look at Roseville (and soon Natomas and Elk Grove)

Roseville and Rocklin Population = 152,000 people (2004 Census Estimate)
Elk Grove and Galt Population = 124,000 people (2004 Census Estimate)
Folsom and El Dorado Hills = 88,000 (2004 Census Estimate)

Obviously there had been growth in all of the above areas since 2004... but I'll use the safe assumption it has been equal growth in all these areas.

The population is about 70 percent greater in the Roseville and Rocklin area... and about 40 percent greater in the Elk Grove and Galt area. That might warrant a WalMart within 5 miles of eachother... but for Folsom and EDH population I just can't buy it.

Until there is growth S of Hwy 50... which could take quite some time... the population numbers just don't support 2 WalMarts from an economic standpoint.

Like I said... I may be wrong... but I'd still have to bet on the side of the old store eventually closing.

[Redone]

What did it get rezoned from? Who was involved? Anybody know?

From Industrial to Community Commercial. Check Planning minutes for 10/5/05 and City Council from 10/25/05.

[ducky]

From Industrial to Community Commercial. Check Planning minutes for 10/5/05 and City Council from 10/25/05.

Thanks, redone.

I'm still really skeptical they will keep the Riley store open after they move out by the freeway. What is really frustrating is my walkable neighborhood is disappearing with everything moving further towards 50. Traffic is going to be a nightmare out there. What was wrong with leaving it industrial? When does the "planning" part of the planning department become active?