[StBernard] Wall Mart Aquires Huge Tract of Land in Eastern NO

[Westley Annis]

Before blaming Wal-Mart or telling them to go to hell, I think we need to
find out the **reason** they have not returned yet to repair and open up
their store.

Wal-Mart is the largest retailer in the world.  I''m more than certain they
know the demographics of the parish, how many people have returned, what the
potential market area is for the Chalmette store (i.e. N.O. East and 9th
wards) and everything else.

If there is money to be made from that store (and there is) Wal-Mart would
have it open or be in the process of getting it open.  If it's not open (and
it isn't) check for what may be the local reasons it's not open, i.e. our
Council or the Meraux Foundation.  I had heard that Wal-Mart wanted a
reduction in the rent they pay for the land and that the Meraux Foundation
said no.  If Gardendale and Fultondale Alabama can have: 1. a Super
Wal-Mart, 
2. a K-Mart and 3. a Target, with a population of 16,000 and 10-12,000
respectively and within 7 miles of each other, then I know the Wal-Mart
would be able to do business in Chalmette.  

After the latest fiasco with the hospital, hospital board and Council I'm
willing to put money on the fact that something is screwed up on the local
end and not on Wal-Mart's end.
Let's face it:  if we had a dept. store open in the parish no one would opt
to drive 15 to 30 miles or more to go to another store; it would be stupid.

JY