Wal-Mart Supercenter Opens in Rosemead; Recall Election to Follow

[rpannier]

As efforts to open its Supercenters in urban areas have failed, the retail giant finds success in Rosemead. But some local officials face recall.

After more than three years of controversy, Wal-Mart celebrated the grand opening Saturday of its Supercenter in Rosemead, amid blaring mariachi trumpets and an air of triumph.

But the political fallout from the battle will culminate today when voters in the predominantly Latino and Asian suburb of 55,000 in the San Gabriel Valley decide whether to recall two council members who back the retail giant.

snip

The town has been divided ever since. While Supercenter opponents were unsuccessful in their efforts to block the store, they hope to galvanize opposition elsewhere with the recall, which will be monitored by U.S. Justice Department observers.

The full article can be found at:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-walmart19sep19,0,4501310.story?coll=la-headlines-california

[NVMojo]

1. Walmart sucks. I can't get over the massive amounts of folk who shop

there at any given point in time. A continuous stream.

[Bobbieo]

2. NVMojo - The answer is cheaper prices!!!!!!

I can no longer afford to shop at my local Albertson's store. Every item,unless it is on sale, is 50c to a dollar more at Albertson's than at Wal-Mart.I buy the Wal-Mart the house brand on just about every item - Great Value I think.

I am supportng three people on my limited income and even with food stamps - and I'm not kidding - I can barely pay the monthly bills and put food on the table. My only luxury is my computer. I don't have cable TV and have given up the daily newspaper.

Prices are also going up at Wal-Mart, too.

[hyphenate]

3. This is interesting

to me--having lived in the SGV for 15 years, 12 of those in West Covina. The part of Rosemead where they're putting it isn't exactly the best part of town, either. My mom used to live in the area and it was wasn't exactly clean and cozy. A chicken farm used to be about a block away from her.

It is closer to Downey, Pico Rivera and South El Monte, but not as close to Temple City, Arcadia or San Gabriel. The most likely folks who will be shopping there are not rich, though, and most not even middle class. That's good for the shoppers who can't afford to go any place else--both Target and K Mart are still around in many locations.

I wonder how well the store will do--I'll have to ask my mom and sister (now on the Pasadena/Arcadia border) how well it's doing as time passes.