The new Super Walmart in Waukesha

[Connonym]

According to my understanding of a Freeman story it's not exactly a done deal but it's looking like it's very likely going to go ahead at the corner of West and 59 at that old concrete plant. I'm wondering if any of you have heard on how they're planning to handle the traffic situation. Are they going to expand West and make the entrance on West? How will that impact the neighborhood? There are a couple duplexes available in that area and I'm wondering how much the Walmart will screw up the neighborhood.

[goddess40]

1. as long as stupid people keep shopping at Wal-mart they'll keep building

I talk to people I believe to be intelligent and reasonable but they lose much of my respect when they tell me they shop at Wal-Mart. They admit they shouldn't but the "prices are so good", so much for loving your country. Every time someone shops at Wally World they take a whack at America's future.

[LTR]

4. Point taken, but I'll always encourage any challenge to the Pick n' Save near-monopoly

Roundy's has way too much of a chokehold on the grocery market in this area, since Kohl's and Jewel shut down here, and I'd like to see more competition. I have had many beefs with the selection and quality of produce/meat sold at Pick n' Save.

Whether Super Wal-Mart is a good thing is unknown. I do know they're building one of these in Cudahy and already have Germantown. I have heard good things about Woodman's, which is very slowly opening stores in the metro.

[dragonlady]

5. We've been going to Pick n Save a lot less too

Sendik's is opening more stores, which is a hopeful sign. Their prices are slightly higher, but the produce is very good (we don't eat the meat so I don't know about that). The service is also better, and checkout is faster.

I know what you mean about Pick n Save. We used to like that store a lot more when we shopped at one of their family-owned stores. It was run much better. I had a conversation with one of the produce people after the new Chicago owners took over. He said the employees were unhappy about several changes, such as having to cut down on cleaning the store, because of the increased emphasis on profit. (He's not there anymore.) I think some of those employees have gone to Sendik's. Pick n Save also went over to some self-checkout machines (we'd rather not help cut out somebody's job by using them).

[LTR]

6. I confess that I occasionally use the automated checkout

If I have only a few items, and the other lines are backed up, it does come in handy.

And there's always someone working near the automated checkers, so at least it's not phasing out a job. Besides, judging by the long lines that I often see, it appears they're not employing enough people anyway.

Oh, and Sendik's is a pretty nice store. The produce is very good. I often go to the nearby Sentry, due to convenience and more laid-back atmosphere, and I occasionally hit Aldi, which, believe it or not, has some quality products (for ridiculously cheap). I can't wait for a Whole Foods or Trader Joe's to open up around here. Why do the East Siders get to have all the fun?

[Connonym]

9. Amen on the comment about the East Side

It's not like the area between the East Side and Madison is full of barbarians. I would think a Whole Foods would do very well somewhere like Brookfield. Trader Joe's too.

[Jimbo S]

7. I believe Pick 'n Save is union.

That's why I continue to shop there. The way employees are treated > prices.

[LTR]

8. Grocery unions are overrated

And there's quite a few operating within a typical grocery store.

My brother worked as a bagger back in high school. He said all his union ever did was give him a minuscule raise every year, take dues out of his paycheck and send him a quarterly newsletter.

Not all unions are the same. While they do a great job in some fields, in others they are basically useless.

[Connonym]

10. I went to Super Walmart in Mukwonago earlier this week

I had a gift card from work and I figured I needed groceries so it would be stupid to not use the card. It was a bit overwhelming but the prices were good and there actually seemed to be a much greater variety of brands than my local Pick N Save. Cheaper too. I didn't understand the way the bagging thing they do worked and I asked the clerk, explained that I had never been there before. Her reaction was sort of hilarious, her chin dropped, she said "you're kidding right?" and was totally amazed that I'd never been there before. I don't know, when money is so tight it squeaks how tightly do you hold onto your ideals when it comes to feeding your kids? Maybe I'm a bad Dem but I think if I really had to make a choice my kids getting enough food to eat would take priority over the pride of my convictions.

Also, I've found that the little neighborhood Mexican groceries tend to have amazing prices on produce. Not the most huge or exotic selection but really reasonable prices on the stuff they do sell. Not always convenient to make more than one stop but shopping in a family-owned store makes me feel good.

[RevCheesehead]

2. Traffic around Walmart will ALWAYS screw up the neighborhood.

You will see the addition, eventually, of several traffic lights.
If the place is a 24-hour store, you will never know darkness again - save for the darkness that is Corporate Servitude.

I'll be praying for you. :(

[Jimbo S]

3. Talking with my co-worker

They will probably have to make West Ave the access point, which will mean turn lanes and another set of traffic lights. Look at what Wal-Mart did for the traffic patterns on Les Paul.