DTO Walmart

[nebport5]

Heard a horrific rumor about Walmart looking in DTO

[S33]

Ok, downtown Wal-Mart renderings

[HuskerDave]

Ok, downtown Wal-Mart renderings

Classy.  I like it!

[Omababe]

Classy.  I like it!

I swear this is the first time I've ever heard the term "classy" used in the context of Wally World!

[iamjacobm]

As long as the design enhances DT then bring it on.  I get the feeling though that it will be on the edge of downtown and have a pretty sizable parking lot though, just a hunch.

[MrM]

I don't shop there.  Never tripped my trigger.  Target doesn't either.  However they fill a need for a LOT of people.  Apparently quite a lot.  So I don't slam them.

[cdub]

If this has any validity it is way secret because I know about lots of other things that Walmart is doing but nothing about this.  

[omaproud]

This is most likely going to be one of Wal Mart's new smaller, groceries only stores that they are rolling out.  It was just announced earlier this week that they are wanting to build one at 90th and Lake.  (I'm sorry if there is a thread about this) The word is that they are wanting to move into "food deserts", areas underserved by traditional supermarkets.

[2Adam29]

for the record, I will personally go to any city-council meeting, march in any parade, protest wherever i have to to keep Wal-Mart out of downtown. It would be the worst possible thing to ever be built down there in my opinion.

[. s33]

for the record, I will personally go to any city-council meeting, march in any parade, protest wherever i have to to keep Wal-Mart out of downtown. It would be the worst possible thing to ever be built down there in my opinion.

how about target?

[thenewguy]

for the record, I will personally go to any city-council meeting, march in any parade, protest wherever i have to to keep Wal-Mart out of downtown. It would be the worst possible thing to ever be built down there in my opinion.

Worst possible thing ever to be built down there?  Give me a break.

For as much controversy as walmart causes/has suffered, it is undeniable that a walmart in downtown wouldn't be a bad thing.  Want to know why?  Walmart attracts people.  People attract business.  Each are something downtown sorely needs.  It would be good for any retailer to go in downtown, and the renderings do not look bad at all.  Is walmart flashy like a macy's or even the target in downtown Minneapolis?  No, but at least the renderings show something that looks like it uses existing space decently well, and the only architectural feature that makes you think it is even a walmart is the sign on the front of the building.

As much as people hate suburban walmarts, think of the other businesses that invariably follow one being built.  You don't wanna see downtown gain residents and expand future development?  Stop a major retailer from going in there, and it's one heck of a way to start.

[Linkin5]

Newguy- those renderings are not for an Omaha location downtown, so who knows what they could build if the city allowed them to open DT.  Also it may bring more people downtown to shop, but at what cost?  Walmart is known to wipe out niche shops in every town/city it goes into.  I would hate to see Walmart move downtown and suceed, but then see shops like Patrick's grocery and other small stores close.

[nebport5]

for the record, I will personally go to any city-council meeting, march in any parade, protest wherever i have to to keep Wal-Mart out of downtown. It would be the worst possible thing to ever be built down there in my opinion.

Worst possible thing ever to be built down there?  Give me a break.

For as much controversy as walmart causes/has suffered, it is undeniable that a walmart in downtown wouldn't be a bad thing.  Want to know why?  Walmart attracts people.  People attract business.  Each are something downtown sorely needs.  It would be good for any retailer to go in downtown, and the renderings do not look bad at all.  Is walmart flashy like a macy's or even the target in downtown Minneapolis?  No, but at least the renderings show something that looks like it uses existing space decently well, and the only architectural feature that makes you think it is even a walmart is the sign on the front of the building.

As much as people hate suburban walmarts, think of the other businesses that invariably follow one being built.  You don't wanna see downtown gain residents and expand future development?  Stop a major retailer from going in there, and it's one heck of a way to start.

Casinos attract business too.

[Omaha_Gabe]

a bit off the Walmart topic, but it would be great to see a store come downtown into one of the Historic buildings (Not sure what options there would be)

The reason I bring this up is due to a recent trip to Philadelphia. I know we wont get a Macys any time soon, but if a retailer can do something similar I think it would help attract business/tourists just as Philly did.

In August of 2006, Macy’s opened in Center City Philadelphia. The store’s site — the former John Wanamaker building — has been recognized as one of the most architecturally significant retail spaces in the U.S. and is a National Historical Landmark.

With a three-story steel structure and Italian and Greek marble arches decorating the store’s Grand Court, the Macy’s building is nothing short of an architectural masterpiece.

Whether you have a passion for architecture or fine shopping, the Macy’s building should be a stop on your trip to Philadelphia. You can even take a narrated tour of the building — in addition to browsing the store’s extensive collection of clothing, shoes and accessories.

[Greg S]

I'm not a Walmart guy but I think it would be good for DT.  I don't know how true this is because the locations they've selected for their market stores have already been announced/leaked.

Greg

[Globochem]

for the record, I will personally go to any city-council meeting, march in any parade, protest wherever i have to to keep Wal-Mart out of downtown. It would be the worst possible thing to ever be built down there in my opinion.

What utter gasbaggery.  This subject is mostly a non starter because neither Walmart nor any other national retailer believes enough people live downtown to merit expanding there.  But that having been said, what "Pleasantville" alternate universe are you living in that Walmart would be even the remotest bit destructive to the business climate downtown.  Unless this downsized Walmart specializes in wrought iron decorative fencing, rock water-falls, or statuettes of Santa Claus dressed as a Husker, there is almost zero overlap with another retailer.  Someone who lives downtown might appreciate a place to purchase something somewhat useful like...oh, I don't know, toilet paper, instead of glittery bric-a-brac.  

Here's a productive suggestion to replace your facile Walmart rejection-ism: Open an alternative store that sells the sorts of things that real residents need in a supposedly pedestrian friendly urban environment, not another knick knack hutch selling to face painted weekenders.  An stop belly aching about Walmart because of some overwrought fantasy that main street will be hollowed out by a big box store.  This ain't a big box, and this main street has been empty since 1968.

[S33]

for the record, I will personally go to any city-council meeting, march in any parade, protest wherever i have to to keep Wal-Mart out of downtown. It would be the worst possible thing to ever be built down there in my opinion.

What utter gasbaggery.  This subject is mostly a non starter because neither Walmart nor any other national retailer believes enough people live downtown to merit expanding there.  But that having been said, what "Pleasantville" alternate universe are you living in that Walmart would be even the remotest bit destructive to the business climate downtown.  Unless this downsized Walmart specializes in wrought iron decorative fencing, rock water-falls, or statuettes of Santa Claus dressed as a Husker, there is almost zero overlap with another retailer.  Someone who lives downtown might appreciate a place to purchase something somewhat useful like...oh, I don't know, toilet paper, instead of glittery bric-a-brac.  

Here's a productive suggestion to replace your facile Walmart rejection-ism: Open an alternative store that sells the sorts of things that real residents need in a supposedly pedestrian friendly urban environment, not another knick knack hutch selling to face painted weekenders.  An stop belly aching about Walmart because of some overwrought fantasy that main street will be hollowed out by a big box store.  This ain't a big box, and this main street has been empty since 1968.

Excellent

[nebport5]

for the record, I will personally go to any city-council meeting, march in any parade, protest wherever i have to to keep Wal-Mart out of downtown. It would be the worst possible thing to ever be built down there in my opinion.

What utter gasbaggery.  This subject is mostly a non starter because neither Walmart nor any other national retailer believes enough people live downtown to merit expanding there.  But that having been said, what "Pleasantville" alternate universe are you living in that Walmart would be even the remotest bit destructive to the business climate downtown.  Unless this downsized Walmart specializes in wrought iron decorative fencing, rock water-falls, or statuettes of Santa Claus dressed as a Husker, there is almost zero overlap with another retailer.  Someone who lives downtown might appreciate a place to purchase something somewhat useful like...oh, I don't know, toilet paper, instead of glittery bric-a-brac.  

Here's a productive suggestion to replace your facile Walmart rejection-ism: Open an alternative store that sells the sorts of things that real residents need in a supposedly pedestrian friendly urban environment, not another knick knack hutch selling to face painted weekenders.  An stop belly aching about Walmart because of some overwrought fantasy that main street will be hollowed out by a big box store.  This ain't a big box, and this main street has been empty since 1968.

Whatever, dude.  Go ask around other businesses around downtown how enthusiastically they'd welcome walmart.  Either you support this evil overseas job sending retail mafia or you reject what they stand for and their cancer proliferating processed chemically treated matter masquerading as food.  It's not a matter of big box stores taking over downtown(a fear which no one here actually expressed), it's simply that we don't want it!  Our western friends who would support such a project can keep their beloved wally world in their suburban utopia. I'll march and protest down here along with 2Adam29.


*NOTE*  Since, I nor anyone else seems to have any compelling evidence of this materializing, we might as well "ernie chambers" this thread before it again digresses into off topic arguments such as the Great Downtown Parking Paranoia (or at least take it and the walmart debate over to the Bar and Grill forum).

[justnick]

From a North Omaha perspective, where there is literally nothing, I see this as a good thing. While I'd rather Walmart actually build a walmart on one of the gigantic lots of emptiness in North and East Omaha, I picture the only place they could fit this in downtown would be on the north or west end of downtown. Which totally works for me.

It's not like they're planning on knocking down the passageway or anything. get it together, peoplz.

I won't bother to go into any moral issues with Walmart. Welcome to America, dear Eomaha people.

[Greg S]

I think it would be a great get to have them build down there.  East Omaha has brutal options right now.  I'm not a Wal Mart guy but if they are willing to build, more power to them.

Greg

[thenewguy]

 Either you support this evil overseas job sending retail mafia or you reject what they stand for and their cancer proliferating processed chemically treated matter masquerading as food.

Evil overseas job sending retail mafia?  You're referring to the lack of 'made in america' products, of which no major retailer is exclusive in providing.  A large chunk of target, kmart, NFM, walmart, etc etc, products are made in china, japan, mexico, or india.  So walmart isn't exclusive in this arena...but somehow they are the ones that proliferate job loss due to the goods they sell.

Are you against a target going in, too?

And 'cancer proliferating processed chemically treated matter masquerading as food'?  They sell virtually the same items as hy-vee, bakers, fareway, no frills, super saver, super target, etc, with the exception of a very small portion of any of those stores dedicated to 'whole' foods...of which many still have ingredients that are not natural (such as preservatives to keep it from spoiling after 2 days).  Whole Foods is the only grocer that is really ahead of the game in terms of a lack of 'cancer proliferating' foods.

Nick is right: north downtown/downtown is under-served for many daily items outside of food (i'd like to point out that i would NOT want to see patrick's go out of business).  SOME form of general retailer would be welcome to the area.  If it went into north downtown, and had food options, i don't see it affecting patrick's market much, if at all due to residents not wanting to carry 4 bags of groceries across downtown.  Like globochem said: there are really not that many retailers outside of niche boutiques downtown that would be impacted.  Homers would be fine because there really isn't dick for selection of CDs anywhere anymore, Patrick's could survive easily based on geographical location of said-theoretical-chain retailer, and outside of that there aren't really any other businesses that go head-to-head with many things offered at a target or walmart.

And i'm sure many downtown residents would enjoy not having to go to cubby's to buy a $5 (6) pack of toilet paper to wipe their |expletive|.

[Guest]

Newguy 1 nebport 0

[Greg S]

Patrick's needs to find their niche with or without Wal Mart coming to DT.  If Wal Mart doesn't someone else with a bigger distribution system and better prices eventually will once there is enough population down there.  If Target came down there, their prices would be right at the Wal Mart price point.  Kroger would be close.

Greg

[MrPoloShirt]

for the record, I will personally go to any city-council meeting, march in any parade, protest wherever i have to to keep Wal-Mart out of downtown. It would be the worst possible thing to ever be built down there in my opinion.

I think your response is more of a blind hatred for a retailer than a comment based on logic.  Worst thing ever?  Give me a break.

I rarely step foot in a Walmart but if they built anything like what was shown above, I'm all for it.

[BrianPapillion]

Walmart won't be coming to DTO.   There's not enough convenient and free parking for their customers.  Could you imagine all those stray Walmart grocery carts rolling all around downtown?   If you think Walmart is going to build a store downtown and flip the cost for a parking garage or ten levels of underground parking, you don't know this company very well.

[Greg S]

Walmart won't be coming to DTO.   There's not enough convenient and free parking for their customers.  Could you imagine all those stray Walmart grocery carts rolling all around downtown?   If you think Walmart is going to build a store downtown and flip the cost for a parking garage or ten levels of underground parking, you don't know this company very well.

I don't think Wal Mart will build a Supercenter DT.  I'm not sure if they can find space to put in one on the outskirts of downtown, but that type of retail is desperately needed in East Omaha.  It would be good for DT residents as well.

I could definitely see the Neighborhood Market concept going to the heart of DT.

Greg

[MrPoloShirt]

Walmart won't be coming to DTO.   There's not enough convenient and free parking for their customers.  Could you imagine all those stray Walmart grocery carts rolling all around downtown?   If you think Walmart is going to build a store downtown and flip the cost for a parking garage or ten levels of underground parking, you don't know this company very well.

Don't be fooled, Walmart is reaching a point where they are having a hard time finding new locations to build stores.  So in order to expand, they are conceiving new stores in smaller and different forms than previous.  Not all Walmarts of the future will be giant box stores with parking for 2,000 cars.  They're trying to adapt to urban areas.  They have to in order to expand.

[OmahaChef]

At least I wouldn't have to bus out to 72nd and Pine anymore.  And I could pay half of what I pay at Patrick's for the same item.  I am all for moral values, but I gave up my lucrative six figure career a decade ago, and so now I focus on price and value.  I don't care if my Quaker Oats Instant Cinnamon Maple Oatmeal breakfast is made in China or Honduras or Cincinatti.  If I can buy it for $1.99, vs. $3.99, bring on a downtown Walmart.  At least there would be a real store downtown, instead of a bunch of tourist traps and empty storefronts.

[jojojo]

I'm not buying this rumor... I didn't see anyone fist-fighting in any of those renderings.  Someone must have photoshopped the Wal-Mart logo into those images.  Seriously though, Omaha does need a discount store east of 72nd street and north of Sarpy county.  As an east-Omahan, I leave the state or county several times a week to shop at the nearest discount or big-box stores.  I agree that downtown isn't the right place for it, but North Downtown or midtown/south-central could put it far enough from the small niche businesses to make someone need a compelling reason to go to Wal-mart over Patrick's.  Then at least if I did shop at the discount store my money would stay on my side of town (where it's greatly needed, BTW).

[S33]

So residents east of 72nd have different consumer needs than say, someone from Elkhorn? I don't follow...

[Guest]

you still won't get anything as cool as a wal-mart with its own police station like cb has.

no, not yours. not for you.

[Greg S]

The GrowOmaha guys have been talking about a East Omaha Wal Mart recently.  Sounds like we may hear something in the next few weeks if their sources are correct.

Greg

[Brad]

The GrowOmaha guys have been talking about a East Omaha Wal Mart recently.  Sounds like we may hear something in the next few weeks if their sources are correct.

Greg

Super Walmart - 50th and Ames Over Here:
http://eomahaforums.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=12484

[Guest]

I work the front desk at a downtown hotel.   Last night, we had four guest check into our hotel, with their company name listed as Walmart Realty.  When they checked in, I asked if Walmart Realty was part of the big retail chain or it was just the same name.   They told me they were part of Walmart.   I asked what brings them to town, and I was told that they were in town for new store planning.   I said, "Oh, I hear you are putting a store in North Omaha" and I was told they are building a store at 50th and Ames and looking for a "downtown" location.   Since I had other guest waiting behind them waiting to check in, I couldn't ask for details about the downtown location, not to mention it would be a little odd if I asked too many questions.  I'm guessing this would be one of their smaller neighborhood stores, not a super center.   Anyway, these Walmart Realty guys are here for a few days.

[jessep28]

I work the front desk at a downtown hotel.   Last night, we had four guest check into our hotel, with their company name listed as Walmart Realty.  When they checked in, I asked if Walmart Realty was part of the big retail chain or it was just the same name.   They told me they were part of Walmart.   I asked what brings them to town, and I was told that they were in town for new store planning.   I said, "Oh, I hear you are putting a store in North Omaha" and I was told they are building a store at 50th and Ames and looking for a "downtown" location.   Since I had other guest waiting behind them waiting to check in, I couldn't ask for details about the downtown location, not to mention it would be a little odd if I asked too many questions.  I'm guessing this would be one of their smaller neighborhood stores, not a super center.   Anyway, these Walmart Realty guys are here for a few days.

Interesting considering that Wal-Mart historically has gone to great lengths to disguise their real estate shopping in order to prevent land prices from increasing once people find out they are looking at a particular area.

[Omababe]

Wal-Mart historically has gone to great lengths to disguise their real estate shopping in order to prevent land prices from increasing once people find out they are looking at a particular area.

Yeah, right! They wish!

I say it's more like they don't want grass roots opposition to yet another Wally World!

[WDodgeGuy]

I heard from a few different source (don't know how reliable they are) that Walmart has been looking downtown too.   My sources have told me they have been looking for a location for a "Walmart on Campus" store.   Maybe this is going to be somewhere near Creighton University?

[derog]

I don't care if it's WalMart or a regional brand, but PLEASE we need a full/semi-full service reasonably priced grocery store downtown. Or a fancy downtown Target a la Minneapolis (if they do that anywhere else).

[thenewguy]

Wal-Mart historically has gone to great lengths to disguise their real estate shopping in order to prevent land prices from increasing once people find out they are looking at a particular area.

Yeah, right! They wish!

I say it's more like they don't want grass roots opposition to yet another Wally World!

Nah, it's more of a cost saving thing.  When they were looking at land in Lincoln for the new Sam's, they got into a land battle with Costco and ended up paying considerably more than they expected to get the parcel.  Keeping a lid on things like that is the first step to being a low cost operator.

[nativeomahan]

I can't believe that anyone connected with Walmart or any other major corporation would be singing to a hotel clerk, unless they had first got tanked in the hotel at Happy Hour.  This is usually all hush hush, and they go to great lengths to fly under the radar screen.  So this just baffles me.

That said, Wally World has pretty much filled out the rest of the metro area with their stores.  Downtown or the area close by is starved for grocery and retail options at popular prices.