NEW YORK—Wal-Mart has yet to penetrate New York City, one of the few places you can’t find the retail giant. Rumor has it, however, that Wal-Mart is eyeing the Big Apple. According to a 2010 survey by Douglas E. Schoen LLC, 71 percent of New Yorkers are in favor of having a Wal-Mart store in the city. The Epoch Times asked New Yorkers what they thought about the possibility of Wal-Mart coming to their city.
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1. James Mobley, 50, Case Manager, Far Rockaway: I think it’s a bad idea. It’s a big store, and it’s taking away from small stores. In 10 years, the big stores move out and go overseas, and the mom and pop stores can’t start up again. [On the other hand], I think it’s a good idea because it would bring more jobs.
2. Anthony Imbiola, 45, Carpenter, Staten Island: I think it would be great. It just gives another level of retail. You don’t have to go to Macy’s, which is more upscale. You would be able to go to Wal-Mart, [which is] more mid-scale. I shop at the Wal-Mart in New Jersey sometimes.
3. David Goetz, 31, Retail, Long Island: I think it’s long overdue. They’re everywhere else. I think it will drive some more competition in this city among retailers and hopefully bring in more jobs.
4. Alex Dermond, 24, Assistant, East Village: I don’t like it. I’m a Target shopper. I read a few articles and found out about [Wal-Mart’s] factories and how they make their products.
5. Eleanor Moonier, 30, Communications, Inwood: I think it would be terrible. Part of the charm of New York City is all the small businesses. If there are more big box stores, it will become like everywhere else. One of my fears is every place starting to look the same.
[etssp 218]
1. James Mobley, 50, Case Manager, Far Rockaway: I think it’s a bad idea. It’s a big store, and it’s taking away from small stores. In 10 years, the big stores move out and go overseas, and the mom and pop stores can’t start up again. [On the other hand], I think it’s a good idea because it would bring more jobs.
2. Anthony Imbiola, 45, Carpenter, Staten Island: I think it would be great. It just gives another level of retail. You don’t have to go to Macy’s, which is more upscale. You would be able to go to Wal-Mart, [which is] more mid-scale. I shop at the Wal-Mart in New Jersey sometimes.
3. David Goetz, 31, Retail, Long Island: I think it’s long overdue. They’re everywhere else. I think it will drive some more competition in this city among retailers and hopefully bring in more jobs.
4. Alex Dermond, 24, Assistant, East Village: I don’t like it. I’m a Target shopper. I read a few articles and found out about [Wal-Mart’s] factories and how they make their products.
5. Eleanor Moonier, 30, Communications, Inwood: I think it would be terrible. Part of the charm of New York City is all the small businesses. If there are more big box stores, it will become like everywhere else. One of my fears is every place starting to look the same.
