When we moved out here the nearest grocery store was 10 miles away, and the only one around. Another opened across the street from it, but it was a big chain store, and the first was locally owned; the chain store has never done well and I'm continually amazed that it hangs on. Then the really cheesy motel a block over sold out to a really big-box chain, who built a whole strip mall. The locally owned one has struggled ever since and with the news that the city council is battling to let huge-box-store-starting-with-W build next door to it, announced last night that they have sold out to a big-box pharmacy. They didn't tell their employees of their plans, I know because my son works the produce department there, and my neighbor has worked there for more than 20 years- they weren't told of the sale. We learned about it in the newspaper this morning. I'll be interested to hear how the atmosphere at the store has changed when my boy gets home tonight. This store has been a mainstay of the community, especially since they never developed the corner of their parking lot that's most visible to traffic- they preferred to leave it available for various groups to do fund-raising car washes (they freely supplied the water) and fireworks booths. I somehow suspect that corporate bottom-liners in Milwaukee won't care for that sort of behavior. It's getting nuts around here. Been looking at small towns in the midwest, since DH is eligible to retire soon...
The same thing is happening all over the country. "W" moves in and the smaller stores can't compete. The cities not only loose the closeness of the "Mom and Pop" stores but they eventually loose their identity.
CritterPainter, if your looking for places in the mid-west don't go to Rapid City, SD. They have the number 1 top W. there because of Mt. Rushmore, Keystone, Sturgis bike rally, its just a huge tourist city. when i left Rapid, a community on highway 16 was fighting another of the W. chains moving in, just like 10 miles from the first one. its all rural out there an i don't know what the outcome was, but for their sakes i hope it didn't pass. the scenery was spectacular out that way. maybe something is on the net i don't know, but i do know the people were furious because it was all ranches out that way, an million dollar homes.
CritterPainter, I am so sorry. If any of the people are going to be laid off permanently due to this, they should check into the Workforce Investment Act program (WIA). It can pay for tuition and books for up to two years. It depends on the area of the country, but some also assist with gas and daycare expenses. Every state has it to assist unemployed or underemployed persons. One can apply for the Pell Grant also (FAFSA.org), and use it to help pay bills while going to school. This wonderful government program is through JobLink, One-Stop Centers, and Employment Security Commision. Actually every county has this . . . in the USA. I am a WIA Services Consultant at our local college here. Searching through google should bring up the information. This is not just limited to this situation, but any US citizen who wants to get a credential to help their earning power. It is not for someone who is already skilled in something, and wants to change careers. There may be different restrictions in different areas, but is worth checking into. I have people who have gone into almost everything you can think of . . . trucking, healthcare, electonics, computers . . .etc. It has changed their lives, and the lives of their familes. I consider myself so blessed to be able to follow each person through their education, and track their progress for a year or so after they receive their credential. It gives them something to look forward to after years of struggling at deadend jobs. My customers are anywhere from 21 and up. I epecially love to see my factory workers who never even dreamed that they could ever return to school. (I personally experienced this myself.) Sometimes a layoff is the best thing that ever happened to them . . . even though it is devastating at first. It is wonderful to see my people blossom into their full potential, and make a livelihood that they enjoy. They're self esteem soars through the roof!!! Hope this helps.
We had the same thing happen here. We had a W store but it wasn't the super size. Then they built a new super W. But it hasn't really affected the other 2 grocery stores. They carry specials such as milk and meat prices and W dosen't compete on that. For instance my wife bought 2 pork loins from Koger on sale for $15 each. They were originally priced at $36. each. We cut them into thirds and ended up with 6 of the best tasting pork roast you ever tasted. They will last us about 6 months.
I guess that if you want a town that won't get the "W" store, you need to go very small. Our "Very" small town has all the stores that a person "needs" and there is a larger town 25 miles away, where one can get what ever is missing here. I try to spend our money here in town, and support the Mom & Pop stores, as do most of us. As a mater of fact we have gotten to know many of the shop keepers and would feel like traitors going to the larger towns stores. The nearest "W" is 45 miles away, and it can stay there!!! We don't even have a "McD" here. And, Julia Roberts was spotted in our little Grocery store last summer. I'll trade a Julia Roberts sighting for a "W" or a "McD" any day. Tom
We used to have a lovely town center, bustling with activity. Then somebody thought up the idea of a shopping centre 10 km outside town. Now everybody shops there, and town is quiet. Sometimes ghostlike quiet. I'm not applauding the trend of malls, but I have no idea how to stop them.
Yes, I know about those programs, but it's hard to take away the dignity of someone who has worked at the same place their whole career and has now had the rug pulled out from under them. Cal, I may just email you later to learn more about your area, lol! Don't care much about celebs, but I do way prefer small towns and they are fast-disappearing around here. The highest-up store managers were blindsided too, and responded by providing a huge thanksgiving feast in the employee break room- much to the joy of my son and the other always-ravenous college-age boys who work there.
Grocery store clerks Am a grocery store clerk and can tell you it gets fustating to say the least you get people coming in and complaining about the prices . Okay go 15 miles away and get it cheaper than here, you are paying for gas. We are a small store and have been here quite a while, I've worked here 21 years I love the little store, but hope to retire in another year. Management is my problem the boys took over since their dad passed away.
Town we lived in--fell over backwards to get a W store, small locally owned grocery went out of business, ladies' dress shop closed, locals bewailed the loss of their "downtown". Development all around, McMansions on a quarter acre lot. Doughnut hole effect with a hollow core surrounded by "development". Now, here in the country, the nearest town has a W, but downtown there is a dress shop, hardware, Western Auto, variety store, two jewelers, and two small locally owned restaurants among other enterprises. W is struggling because the service isn't there, the caring clerks aren't there, and people don't like to spend their money with strangers. Some small towns have refused to have a W. I guess it's all in what people think they want.
This is happening all across Ireland also. The emerald isle is in dire financial straits at present so people are searching for the best bargains. Big chains are seizing this opportunity and small businesses are going under. It's all so frustrating to watch.
I like the small town aura too, and I like the Mom and Pop places but my income is limited and I cannot afford their prices. There are no jobs around here, town management runs big chains out--not that I want one, there are several W stores in nearby towns. One local store owner thinks this town needs a few good funerals ['town fathers'] to straighten things up. We have had people come in from out of town/out of state and start up small businesses. The local utility companies bill them at a higher rate and drive them out of business. Local people do not want 'furiners' so much. I am a 'furiner' but most have forgotten that by now since I have been here since the mid 80s. I shop locally as much as I can, but I also go to the nearby city and shop there on occasion. We have a McD's here too, but the jobs are very poor. A family member works there, and over the winter barely had 3 hrs per week to work. But when the national hiring day came, they hired 5 new employees who didnt stay around long. Three hours per week is not enough to bother showing up for.
I too despise the big corporate stores, I prefer to go to the locally owned and run stores. I live in Clintwood VA.... we have two grocery stores, one Food City and Edwards (you can still have an account there) three gas stations, one locally owned (they pump your gas for you and yes, we have an account we pay once a month)...it is a small town in America where there is 3 stop lights and the nearest Wally World is 45 minutes away! I LOVE IT!
Our little town has zero stop lights, and only a few four way stops. One gas station pumps it for you, the others are self serve. We also have two grocery stores, numerous small stores, a local theatre group, a library, a historical society,a lumber yard, auto parts, and a lot of other things too. It is just frustrating when the town 'father's who run the place run other businesses out of business. We just lost our Radio Shack because of the economy. Jobs are very much needed. Some insist it be kept a "retirement community", but retired people do not compeletely support a community. Someone has to take care of them in the nursing homes--thankfully NOT me any more. Not everyone wants to do that kind of work. Kids need schools, parents need jobs and no one wants to see the kids move away when they grow up because there is nothing for them in the small towns. One of mine still lives and works 700 miles away, and with the economy so bad, we rarely get to see each other.
