New Walmart Neighborhood Market Is A Step Back For The East Brainerd Community - And Response (4)

  • Friday, July 3, 2015

Driving out East Brainerd Road recently, I was excited to see that what I thought was the run down strip center being renovated was actually a new Walmart Neighborhood Market.  I believe that this is the same type facility that was proposed for Middle Valley, but was rejected by the local citizens living in that area. I don't recalling hearing anything about any neighborhood or community discussions regarding this facility that is currently under construction. I guess developers can just stick anything up, anywhere they want, without community input, as long they have the money to buy the property. 

I had hoped something would be built there, but not this.  This is not appropriate for the area and I really don't understand who they think their target market is.  We don't need more cheaply built, ugly Dollar General stores, Walmart Markets and Family Dollar stores taking up valuable real estate.  

How about some nicer shopping areas and nice restaurants?  This is not progress or an asset to the community, it is regress.

John Fricke 

* * * 

Yes, the residents of Middle Valley overwhelmingly did not want a Wal-Mart "Neighborhood Market" (gee, doesn't that sound homey and quaint?) in their area, but guess what?  We got it anyway because the politicians and Wal-Mart wanted it.  It is under construction as we speak, and I'm sure it will be as big a blight on the landscape as Mr. Fricke's is. 

During the back and forths about the development leading up to the commission's "yes" vote on it, someone who was in favor of it said it would help because that area of Middle Valley Road was looking seedy; so a tacky Wal-Mart box is an improvement? 

One can only hope there is some justice if a couple of establishments in the immediate area (one of which isn't on the tax rolls) are enough negatively impacted by the unwanted facility that they come to sincerely regret their decision.  As for my wife and I, we will vote with our feet and pocketbooks and not cross the new store's threshold. 

Paul Burch
Hixson 

* * * 

Dear Walmart, 

Please listen to these ungrateful whiners.  Don’t build in their neighborhood.  Please come to the Southside of downtown Chattanooga.  We really need something besides the trendy, hipster stuff being built.  I nice neighborhood market would serve a wide margin of our local community. 

Robert Harvey
Chattanooga

 * * * 

Mr. Frickie is angry that an empty strip mall is being converted to an actual business? Seems as though some folks would rather have decaying empty buildings if they can't be replaced by anything except a Neiman-Marcus. In this day and time, with a vanishing middle class, a Walmart Neighborhood Market is probably about as good as it's going to get.  

As for Middle Valley, yep, I'd sure hate to have more choices and convenience. I for one, am extremely tired of Bi-Lo and their "purchase one for $5 or buy six for $20" bulk discount program. Those of us not feeding an army feel like we are being screwed, especially when I can drive a bit out of the way to Walmart and get the same price on an item with out having a storage building to take advantage of it. I'm looking forward to our Walmart Neighborhood Market. 

If Mr. Burch never sets foot in any of their stores, that's just more shopping choices for me.  

Herb Montgomery
Chattanooga

* * *

As the store manager of the Walmart Neighborhood Market under construction on East Brainerd Road, I want to share some information about the positive impact Walmart has on the communities we serve.

Contrary to assertions made in some recent Letters to the Editor in this publication, Walmart Neighborhood Markets are, indeed, an asset to the community. 

Smaller in size than our Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets provide customers a quick way to meet all their grocery shopping needs close to where they live and work. This store will provide fast, easy access to a wide variety of affordable products – fresh produce, a full grocery department with a bakery and deli, a drive-thru pharmacy with our popular $4 generic prescriptions, health and beauty supplies, select household items, and a gas station.

In addition to the benefits to our customers, the Neighborhood Market will benefit the community by generating additional tax revenue, our stores also help stimulate new investment and economic growth. 

The new store will also create up to 95 good quality jobs and provide local residents with the opportunity to build a lasting career. In Tennessee, the full-time average hourly wage for Walmart associates is $12.87, well above the Tennessee and federal minimum wages. And our associates have the opportunity advance through the company. Across the country, about 75 percent of the Walmart management teams started as hourly associates. I encourage anyone who is interested in our full- and part-time job opportunities to visit our store’s hiring center at 6132 Perimeter Place, Suite 119.

I’m proud to work for Walmart. And on behalf of the entire company, we look forward to being even more involved in the Chattanooga community with the opening of this new Neighborhood Market.


Steven Hamlet
Walmart Store Manager
Chattanooga

Latest Headlines
Opinion
Democratic View On Top State Senate Issues - March 18, 2024
  • 3/18/2024

Campbell bill seeks to save lives by studying suicide trends in Tennessee 3 p.m. Senate Regular Calendar — SB 1787 , by Sen. Heidi Campbell, would require state health officials to produce ... more

The Odor Of Mendacity - And Response (2)
  • 3/16/2024

The Fulton County judge, Scott McAfee, overseeing the Fani Willis prosecution of Donald Trump and eighteen other defendants has spoken. In response to a motion by defendants to remove Willis ... more

Capitol Report From State Rep. Greg Vital For March 15
  • 3/15/2024

General Assembly confirms new Tennessee State Supreme Justice Members of the General Assembly confirmed the appointment of Mary L. Wagner to the Tennessee Supreme Court in a joint session ... more