Wal-Mart Halts Construction To Reformat Store For Mexican Immigrants?
April 23, 2008
There is more than meets the eye in this strange story of a halted Wal-Mart construction project five miles from the Mexican border. The tiny
Uncategorized
Dead Wal-Mart To Become Expensive Library
April 23, 2008
The taxpayers in McAllen, Texas probably regret the day that their Wal-Mart discount store shut down — but not for the loss of cheap Chinese
Wal-Mart Deal Includes $500,000 For Damage to Downtown
April 22, 2008
Wal-Mart won’t be building anytime soon in St. Alban’s,Vermont. That should not be much of an inconvenience, since the retail giant has been trying to
When City Goes Fishing For Bigger Wal-Mart, Local Grocer Shuts Down
April 21, 2008
Officials in one small Oklahoma community went fishing for a larger Wal-Mart, but killed off the smaller fish in the process. The tiny “city” of
Disabled Man Settles Eight Year Discrimination Case Against Wal-Mart
April 20, 2008
On January 25, 2004 — more than 4 years ago — Sprawl-Busters reported that a disabled man had filed a lawsuit against Wal-Mart through the
Former Mayor Says Wal-Mart Supercenter Will Create Ghost Center
April 19, 2008
Tillsonburg, Ontario, serves as a regional retail center. It has a population of only 15,000 people, but says there are 100,000 people within a 30
Wal-Mart Says Citizen’s Lawsuit Threatens ‘Freedom to Shop.’
April 19, 2008
Wal-Mart’s plans to expand its discount store in Vista, California have led to a courtroom, not a ribbon-cutting. The retailer says that its customers’ “freedom
Judge’s Final Ruling Goes Against Wal-Mart Superstore
April 17, 2008
A vaguely written proposal has cost Wal-Mart a multi-million land use deal. On September 1, 2008, Sprawl-Busters reported that a judge in Sonoma County, California
Court Rule Against Citizens’ Group
April 16, 2008
It’s been a bad week in New York courts for opponents of Wal-Mart. In Greece, New York, a judge ruled that officials had done their
Activists Mar Opening of new Wal-Mart Supercenter.
April 16, 2008
A new Wal-Mart supercenter opened this week in Chattanooga, Tennessee, but according to local activists, the grand opening was anything but grand. Infoshop News reported
Planning Commission Bites the Wal-Mart Hand That Feeds It
April 15, 2008
“When people think of Fayetteville, Arkansas,” says Mayor Dan Coody, “they think of quality of life.” They also think of Wal-Mart. Not only is the
Wal-Mart Supercenter Meets With Mixed Reactions
April 14, 2008
The town of Cobourg, in the province of Ontario, Canada, calls itself Ontario’s “feel good town.” Cobourg is also called the Gem of Lake Ontario,
City Officials Make Secret Deal with Wal-Mart in Las Vegas.
April 13, 2008
What were elected officials from Mentor, Ohio doing with Wal-Mart in Las Vegas? And why did the city end up promoting a dead Wal-Mart store?
Wal-Mart Delays Another Superstore Project For A Year
April 12, 2008
Frenchtown, Michigan becomes the 49th community to see its proposed Wal-Mart supercenter either cancelled or delayed since last June. Wal-Mart has four stores for sale
Developer Bails Out on Wal-Mart
April 11, 2008
Every so often, a developer leaves Wal-Mart in the lurch. Much in the same way that Wal-Mart is increasingly dumping its own locations. This week,
Wal-Marts Drops 48th Superstore
April 9, 2008
Toss one more set of superstore plans into the waste basket. Wal-Mart has trashed its 48th superstore since June of 2007. This time the community
Mayor Boosts Wal-Mart Before Final Impacts Are Known
April 8, 2008
The Mayor of the city of North Tonawanda, New York is all for a supercenter — even though he has no idea of its potential
Wal-Mart Bows Out Of Another Superstore Site
April 8, 2008
For the 47th time since June, 2007, Wal-Mart stores has withdrawn a superstore proposal, leaving local officials shocked and stunned. According to the Danville, Virginia
Wal-Mart Superstore Plans Still In Limbo
April 7, 2008
Are they coming or not? The city of Eufaula, Alabama already has a Wal-Mart discount store on South Eufala Avenue. This small community of roughly
A Wal-Mart Supercenter in Poway? No way!
April 6, 2008
Wal-Mart already has a discount store on Community Road in Poway, California. That store opened in 1992. This city of roughly 51,000 people, located in
Court Says Town Needs to Reconsider Wal-Mart Application
April 5, 2008
On November 13, 2005, Sprawl-Busters reported that the Zionsville, Indiana Planning Commission had voted not to rezone 12 acres of land for a 204,000 s.f.
Wal-Mart Gets Initial OK in 14 Year Battle. Appeal Likely.
April 5, 2008
One of the longest battles in Wal-Mart history has taken another twist in the road. On October 10, 2006, Sprawl-Busters described the 14 year battle
Wal-Mart Withdrawal Squeezes Another City
April 3, 2008
Wal-Mart tried to squeeze too much into Port Orange, Florida, and now their departure is putting the squeeze on the city. Port Orange, population 56,000,
After Dropping Superstore Plans, Wal-Mart Shuts Down Its Discount Store Too.
April 2, 2008
One Wal-Mart superstore cancellation in Memphis, Tennessee has now led to another Wal-Mart closure in the city. On November 25, 2007, Sprawl-Busters reported that Wal-Mart
Two Grocery Stores Depart Before Wal-Mart Arrives
April 1, 2008
Sometimes, all it takes is the shadow of a Wal-Mart to drive away business. That appears to be the case in Geneseo, Illinois. This small
Citizens Group Appeals Wal-Mart Approval in Court
March 31, 2008
On November 11, 2007 Sprawl-Busters wrote that the Solano County, California Airport Land Use Commission had ruled that a proposed Wal-Mart supercenter along the flight
Residents Want Town to Rescind Wal-Mart Zone Vote
March 31, 2008
A little insurrection is taking place in the community of Bristol, Tennessee over a proposed Wal-Mart superstore off the Volunteer Parkway. Here’s a report from
Controversy Follows Home Depot’s 5th Vermont Proposal
March 30, 2008
The Green Mountain state has not been friendly territory for big box stores. Home Depot, the world’s large “home improvement” chain, has 4 big box
Investment Firm Calls Wal-Mart A ‘Long-Term Negative’ For Communities
March 30, 2008
A well-known asset management firm in Boston has written to Mayor Thomas Menino advising him not to let Wal-Mart into his city. Menino has been
The ‘Writing Was On The Wal’ For Superstore Pull-Out
March 29, 2008
Another community has seen its proposed Wal-Mart superstore go up in smoke. This one was all approved and ready to roll. But corporate headquarters in
City Perverts Idea of A Cap On Superstore Size
March 28, 2008
City officials in Moab, Utah have mocked the idea of a limit on superstore size by passing this week an ordinance that looks like a
Wal-Mart Ends Sam’s Club Plan, Leaves City With Dead Store
March 27, 2008
On March 13, 2004, Sprawl-Busters posted a story about the battle in Hemet, California to stop a Wal-Mart superstore. The citizens went to Riverside Superior
Court Denies Landowner His Wal-Mart, For The Third Time
March 27, 2008
Frank and Marie Rossi are now three-time losers. These landowners tried to use the court system to force a Wal-Mart superstore down the throats of
Wal-Mart’s ‘Jobs & Opportunity Zone’ Is In the Twilight Zone
March 26, 2008
One of Wal-Mart’s third-tier public relations efforts, the “Jobs and Opportunity Zone” (JOZ) program, made it into the news this week in the context of
Wal-Mart Superstore Requires Nearby Wal-Mart To Close
March 26, 2008
On January 20, 2008, Sprawl-Busters reported that Wal-Mart was back before local officials in the town of Colonie, New York (pop. 80,000) floating the idea
Supercenter Unanimously Rejected. No Way To Treat A Lady.
March 25, 2008
Wal-Mart found out the hard way last night, that a superstore is no way to treat a Lady. On February 28, 2008, Sprawl-Busters reported that
Three Residents Sue Mayor, Town Board To Block Wal-Mart
March 23, 2008
Mayor Mike Gabbianelli of Monroe township, New Jersey, is the kind of Mayor Wal-Mart loves. Gabbianelli was elected Mayor of this town of roughly 32,000
Crime At Wal-Mart, Always
March 23, 2008
It’s been a quiet week in Wal-Mart parking lots and bathrooms. The market may be tanking, but crime at Wal-Mart shows no signs of abating.
Wal-Mart’s South Side Store Still Blowin’ In the Chicago Wind
March 22, 2008
Wal-Mart has been trying to build a store on the south side of Chicago, Illinois for at least four years. Even Bad,Bad LeRoy Brown couldn’t
Developer Tries For Second Bite Of Wal-Mart Apple
March 22, 2008
If at first your Wal-Mart proposal doesn’t succeed — try, try again. On March 18, 2007, just about a year ago, Sprawl-Busters reported that in
Mayor Calls Wal-Mart A ‘Menacing Beast.’
March 21, 2008
The city of Fontana, California is caught in a Wal-Mart vise: a proposed superstore on the North, and on the South of Town. But the
Developer Tries Bait & Switch: A Wal-Mart Instead of a Lowe’s
March 20, 2008
If you have a golf course or a drive-in movie near you — be forewarned. Wal-Mart or some other big box chain wants that land.
Wal-Mart Drops ‘Mini’ Superstore Plan
March 19, 2008
What’s eating Gilbert, Arizona? It’s not going to be Wal-Mart. On January 5, 2008, Sprawl-Busters wrote that Wal-Mart’s plans for a superstore in Gilbert was
Landowners Sue City For Capping Size of Retail Stores
March 19, 2008
When you can’t get what you want by regulation, try litigation. That’s what one family has decided to do, after losing millions on a land
Wal-Mart Chills Its Plans In Chico
March 18, 2008
Since 1990, the population of the city of Chico, California has almost doubled. In 2006, the city had more than 73,000 residents. There is already
Wal-Mart Pulls Out After Spending A Fortune To Win Zoning Vote
March 17, 2008
Wal-Mart has once again snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. On September 9, 2006, Sprawl-Busters reported that Wal-Mart had submitted a proposal to build
C. Wal-Mart’s “Meat Wars” With the Union Sizzles On
March 16, 2008
The “Meat Wars” between Wal-Mart and the United Food and Commercial Workers was on the front burner this week, as a court ruling gave both
‘Green’ Wal-Mart Goes After Green Farmland
March 15, 2008
This week, at an economics conference in California, Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott told a rapt audience, “We are not green.” When asked how his company
Court Case Against Wal-Mart Reaches Closing Arguments
March 14, 2008
On January 14, 2008, Sprawl-Busters reported that Demoulas Super Markets Inc. of Tewksbury, Massachusetts, the parent company of Market Basket supermarkets, and owner of the
Wal-Mart OK Slowed by ‘Phantom’ Citizen
March 13, 2008
On February 3, 2008, Sprawl-Busters reported that Wal-Mart wanted to build a 28,500 s.f. addition to its 125,500 s.f. discount store on University Drive in