Walmart to set up 'neighborhood' shop on outskirts of Chinatown
Flickr via Guanatos Gwyn
Walmart plans on opening a "Neighborhood Market" on Grand and Cesar Chavez avenues.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Superstore giant Walmart is planning to open a new location on the corner of Grand and Cesar Chavez avenues on the outskirts of Chinatown.
The Los Angeles Times reports that this location will be the first "Neighborhood Market" location in L.A. County. Walmart spokesman Steven Restivo told the Times that his company planned to open the 33,000-square-foot grocery store next year on the ground floor of a residential complex for seniors.
Walmart's "Neighborhood Markets" are simplified versions of the everything-store that attempt to streamline shopping by only selling groceries, pharmaceuticals and general merchandise (no hair salons or tire rotations here.)
A typical "neighborhood market" is staffed by fewer than 100 employees, compared with the roughly 350 employees who work at each 24-hour Walmart "Supercenter."
Restivo said the L.A. store would give Downtown residents affordable food options as well as a pharmacy.
"Right now, they've got one full-service supermarket serving a 30-block radius. So our store is going to be part of the solution for folks who want fresh food options close to where they live or work," he told the L.A Times.
But not everyone is welcoming the discount superstore with open arms.
KTLA reports that the chain's new Downtown presence is drawing criticism from labor unions, who accuse Walmart of offering low-quality, low-paying jobs.
Others say that the "Neighborhood Market" brand is merely a way for them to side-step existing L.A. ordinances.
Gina Palencar of LAANE (Los Angeles Alliance for A New Economy), told the L.A. Weekly that a superstore ordinance passed in 2004 enables the city to weigh different factors, including job quality and business loss, when deciding whether to allow big box developments to proceed.
This law was passed after Walmart itself tried to open a store in Inglewood and was ultimately defeated by a coalition of small businesses, clergy, community groups, and unions, Palencar said.
Construction on the Chinatown Walmart is scheduled to begin this Summer.
To hear more about Downtown's Walmart, listen in to KPCC's Patt Morrison
Jessie Love on February 27, 2012, at 01:29PM – #1
I know I may get a lot of boos and hisses for this one -- but I live in Downtown, and this is going to be so convenient. Come, Walmart, come quicker! And when I say convenient -- I mean it. Pull up a Google map of downtown, and plug in "Walmart." Or "Target." Little pins will drop in a 15-mile radius AROUND my neighborhood. I live in a convenience void! Sometimes a sista just needs shampoo or sugar without having to pay through the nose at an independent market.
Bert Green (@bgfa) on February 27, 2012, at 04:42PM – #2
This store may do just fine, and will likely serve the nearby neighborhoods where other options are scarce, but it's a stretch to think many people downtown would travel that far (especially on foot or by transit) for the same things that can be had pretty easily downtown at Big Lots or Grand Central Market.
Jon on February 27, 2012, at 05:10PM – #3
I don't think Big Lots and Grand Central Market have groceries.
Jimmy on February 27, 2012, at 05:19PM – #4
It's a grocery store, people. I haven't seen any other supermarkets step up to DTLA. Ralphs is a monopoly, as it were, with prices to match. Vons, Stater Bros? Trader Joes? Where are you?
Not that it matters much. I still have to get in my car to go to Ralphs from 6th n' spring, and then I might as well go to Smart and Final Extra or the Vons on Alvarado.
No one else besides Walmart seems to think that the community of DTLA is worth investing a supermarket in. Think about that for a minute.
crystal on February 27, 2012, at 07:04PM – #5
I think its a great idea. We need more options. Big Lots and Grand Central don't always have the variety/brands we are looking for. and lets be honest Walmart is economical.
Boo away but it will be packed when it opens.
Ed S on February 28, 2012, at 01:09AM – #6
The consumer drone consensus is clear: give the people dirt and they will eat dirt.
downtown vibe on March 02, 2012, at 11:04AM – #7
The fact is, that this commercial space has sat blighted and vacant since the original Albertson's backed out.
The only reason why Walmart has not expanded into the area sooner is that the Labor Unions have paid-off your local politicians to keep Walmart out. Laws have written specifically to ban supercenters that sell groceries. (I.E. WALMART)
The potshops that have been allowed to multiply throughout downtown streets are far more dangerous to the future development of downtown than a WalMart Market.
jdiggity on March 04, 2012, at 09:03PM – #8
I'll be glad to see them move in soon, I'm living on First Street.