While I update our database of state representatives and senators into our e-mail system, I am listening, as always, to WBUR. Onpoint is discussing Wal*Mart moving into urban (read: depressed) areas of the country, and although I am staunchly anti-Wal*Mart on the whole (low wages, no health-care, no unionizing, sweatshop/crappy merchandise, etc) I think, just this once, I might be on Wal*Mart's side.
Here's why:
Many depressed urban areas are the result of "white flight" and the subsequent "business flight" into the suburbs. In downtown Worcester, for example, there are almost entire blocks of empty retail buildings, surrounded by buildings filled with low-income tenants. There aren't a lot of small businesses left in these areas to drive out of business--they've already been driven out of business. Those that are left don't really compete with a Wal*Mart because their business built on convenience, not prices or merchandise. And I believe a Wal*Mart would actually attract more businesses back into an empty downtown area. Of course the low-wage issue is still a problem. But perhaps those other business would help counteract that? I don't know...
I mean, think about it. Wal*Mart's built out in the middle of nowhere often attract other businesses. Why wouldn't the same thing happen in an urban setting?
I'm really disturbed the idea of being pro-Wal*Mart in any situation... If someone could punch holes in my argument, please do so!
Maybe my Wal*Mart dilemma has to do with the fact that I just don't feel well today... For weeks I've been extra tired, sleeping in and unable to get up for my morning exercise routine. And now today I feel rather icky. Ugh. Maybe I'm delirious. I should go find the nurse to take my temperature...
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Part of the problem with building a Wal-Mart in a dense urban setting is the company's complete unwillingness to bend, which is pretty obvious just looking at the scope of their labor/union disputes. Wal-Mart insists on building the standard 4 acre store in a 83 acre parking ocean at all costs, essentially dividing any downtown area that was left and making the traditional segments less attractive to traditional downtown commerce. Whereas, big box stores like Target and Home Depot are willing to build 2-3 story stores with parking ramps or no parking at all to fit the area.
Post a Comment