Wal-Mart

Fighting over a Wal-Mart and the meaning of Roxbury

adamg — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 13:06:06 +0000

Wal-Mart hasn't even said yet it's moving to Dudley Square, but the fight has already started, Chris Faraone reports:

On one side of the battle are residents who are anxious for both work and bargains. In the opposition, there's Mayor Tom Menino, along with a number of lawmakers and a small army of activists. They claim that Dudley is already en route to recovery, and that the area's fragile economic ecosystem would crumble in the shadow of the world's biggest retailer.

And then there's the beast itself. In response to declining revenues at its suburban Supercenters, Walmart has increasingly targeted the urban poor in places like Chicago. Accustomed to getting what it wants, in this case the company hired Nicholas Mitropoulos, an old pal of the mayor, as an advisor, and donated fat sums to local nonprofits — including one headed by a politically influential member of the Roxbury Strategic Master Plan Oversight Committee.

Wal-Martization begins: Retailer to open 'mid-sized' supermarket in Somerville

adamg — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 13:17:42 +0000

In what used to be the Circuit City on Mystic Avenue, the Globe reports.

Wal-Mart in Roxbury?

adamg — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 12:52:19 +0000

The ginormous chain is eying Roxbury for its first Boston store. The mayor is against; some residents are for.

Ed. question: Does a Wal-Mart in Roxbury cancel out a Whole Foods in JP? Also, why is the Target at South Bay so much cooler than Wal-Mart in, say, Crosstown?

Menino to Wal-Mart: You're welcome if you provide good wages, benefits

adamg — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 11:34:49 +0000

The Herald reports on Menino's opening public salvo in negotiations with Wal-Mart over opening stores within city limits.

Compare to New York, where the megachain has launched a marketing campaign against the city council, which opposes it.

Darwin's waiting room at the Walpole Wal-Mart

adamg — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 02:49:36 +0000

John escapes from the Rte. 1 Wal-Mart in one piece:

... It is literally the place where humanity goes. TO DIE.

Never in my life have I seen such a motley collection of trash-a-licious people in one place.

The woman in the checkout line in front of us was in her late 50s. But was still rocking bleached blond hair, giant "gold" and "diamond" rings on every single finger. And 3-inch fake nails done up in multi-colors with little rhinestones on each nail.

She was buying 4 large bags of beef jerky. Seriously. ...

How Wal-Mart cuts itself a break on property taxes in Massachusetts

adamg — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 01:59:51 +0000

It must be nice to have lobbyists and tax loopholes.

Via Blue Mass. Group.

Take good photos? Stay away from Wal-Mart

adamg — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 15:35:03 +0000

Lance made the mistake of bringing Christmas photos of his son to Wal-Mart for printing:

... When I get to the photo counter Sunday evening, I give the kid with the floppy blond hair and the conspicuous tongue piercing my name, he searches for my photos, then he tells me that the manager has instructed that they not fulfill my order because the photos look too professional.

I told Slacker McSkaterdude that I was flattered that he thought my pictures looked that good, but the I'd just taken them in my living room the day before. The young man, who despite his appearance took his job very seriously, told me that if I could prove that I took the pictures, he'd let me have them. ...

It gets even better (and yes, the kid makes one cute photo).