Re: I'm sorry but, BOYCOTT WAL-MART!

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Posted by Maureen on August 6, 2001 at 08:20:32:

In reply to: I'm sorry but, BOYCOTT WAL-MART! posted by Darlahood on August 6, 2001 at 06:07:29:

The Wal-Marts around here exist as one of thousands of corporately
owned national and transnational chain stores that make up the mega-
malls that stretch for miles. The small towns in my area died
because steel is now produced cheaper overseas than here. Steel was
king around here and when the steelmills closed the money was gone
and when the money was gone the family owned little stores and
theatres died as well. It is only in the most affluent small
communities within Pittsburgh that individually owned and operated
boutiques are still operated around here and they still have
relatively short life spans. Pittsburgh continues to struggle to
have a vibrant downtown business district. Everyone shops at the
malls where there is free parking, better selection and much better
sales. I went to Rite-Aid, CVS, Phar-Mor and a number of other
places including two huge flea markets looking for tea tree and clove
oil. Not finding it I had to drive 20 minutes to the mall to Wal-
Mart to get it. I understand what you are expressing and wish that
alternatives you are assuming really remained. But in some
areas...perhaps most...it is a done deal. My shop is downtown
McKeesport and I have watched small business go belly up all around
me for the three years my business has been at its present location.
About 60% of the office/retail space in downtown McKeesport is rented
by social service and governmental agencies. Approximately 30% of
the office/retail space is vacant. Perhaps 5% office/retail space
are individual owned business and another 5% chain stores like drug
stores and gas stations/convenient stores. I could not operate a
business here having to rely on walk-in trade. Most clients coming
from the social service agencies don't have that dispensable income
that allows for impulse buying. The stores that Wal-Marts impacts
are ancient history around here. The mega-malls are where you go to
shop. You simply decide which mall.

While I understand your point, it is a point about a political battle
that was lost long ago...at least around here. But here is another
reality that you might want to consider. We are in an economy today
that allows me to put gas in my car, buy a pair of shoes, go to the
bank, buy homeowner's insurance, watch my favorite TV station ,
subscribe to a newspaper and 2 magazines, drink my favorite soda pop
and use my credit card and be dealing with the same company. When
you are diversified and transnational you are boycott proof. The Wal-
Mart I went to today had 2 popular fastfood restaurants and an
eyecare center in it and I'd bet the bank that a little research
reveals that they are owned by the same parent company.

Got your point. But this is a different reality.

Maureen

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Re: I'm sorry but, BOYCOTT WAL-MART! Ronna 15:24:04 8/6/2001 (0)

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: The Wal-Marts around here exist as one of thousands of corporately : owned national and transnational chain stores that make up the mega- : malls that stretch for miles. The small towns in my area died : because steel is now produced cheaper overseas than here. Steel was : king around here and when the steelmills closed the money was gone : and when the money was gone the family owned little stores and : theatres died as well. It is only in the most affluent small : communities within Pittsburgh that individually owned and operated : boutiques are still operated around here and they still have : relatively short life spans. Pittsburgh continues to struggle to : have a vibrant downtown business district. Everyone shops at the : malls where there is free parking, better selection and much better : sales. I went to Rite-Aid, CVS, Phar-Mor and a number of other : places including two huge flea markets looking for tea tree and clove : oil. Not finding it I had to drive 20 minutes to the mall to Wal- : Mart to get it. I understand what you are expressing and wish that : alternatives you are assuming really remained. But in some : areas...perhaps most...it is a done deal. My shop is downtown : McKeesport and I have watched small business go belly up all around : me for the three years my business has been at its present location. : About 60% of the office/retail space in downtown McKeesport is rented : by social service and governmental agencies. Approximately 30% of : the office/retail space is vacant. Perhaps 5% office/retail space : are individual owned business and another 5% chain stores like drug : stores and gas stations/convenient stores. I could not operate a : business here having to rely on walk-in trade. Most clients coming : from the social service agencies don't have that dispensable income : that allows for impulse buying. The stores that Wal-Marts impacts : are ancient history around here. The mega-malls are where you go to : shop. You simply decide which mall. : : While I understand your point, it is a point about a political battle : that was lost long ago...at least around here. But here is another : reality that you might want to consider. We are in an economy today : that allows me to put gas in my car, buy a pair of shoes, go to the : bank, buy homeowner's insurance, watch my favorite TV station , : subscribe to a newspaper and 2 magazines, drink my favorite soda pop : and use my credit card and be dealing with the same company. When : you are diversified and transnational you are boycott proof. The Wal- : Mart I went to today had 2 popular fastfood restaurants and an : eyecare center in it and I'd bet the bank that a little research : reveals that they are owned by the same parent company. : : Got your point. But this is a different reality. : : Maureen
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