If you're in touch with the local news, you must have noticed the big hoo-ha about Wal-Mart and their foray into various neighborhoods around the city.As far as we know and have read, Wal-Mart is in the process of opening "mini-stores" throughout the city. By mini they mean smaller than the standard suburban Wal-Mart's. Anyway, the first store is underway in the West Loop at the Presidential Towers (555 W. Madison) and there has been quite a bit of recent outrage about a similar store coming to Lakeview (Broadway and Surf).
Finally, we just read in the Tribune that Wal-Mart is also looking at a River North location (225 W. Chicago). So it seems like Wal-Mart is aggressively pursuing expansion into the city, so as a blog that focuses on the South Loop, we naturally are left to ponder could the Sloop be next?
At this point, it seems like our neighborhood is quite saturated with big box groceries. Look at Roosevelt road. When Trade Joe's opens (whenever that may be), we will have five different large scale grocery stores servicing the neighborhood within 1 mile of each other (Dominick's, Whole Foods, Target, Jewel and Trader Joe's).
Could our neighborhood support another? Would it be on Roosevelt (which naturally seems to make sense)? Or would it be further south (maybe where the old ickes homes used to be)? Would this be good for the neighborhood? or Would this be bad?
We know people have strong feelings towards Wal-Mart, but let us know your thoughts. We haven't heard any plans about them coming to the Sloop, but it's natural to wonder.
