Reader comments
Mixed reaction to Sugar House Wal-Mart

James | 1:43 a.m. April 23, 2008

Having a walmart on Parleys would be beneficial to everyone in the area. Several other problems will need to be addressed, such as that intersection in front of the entrance to that center. With future gas prices in mind, you have to weigh it all in.

liberal larry | 7:43 a.m. April 23, 2008

As evil as Wal-Mart is, it's kind of hard to argue that they can't replace an existing defunct K-Mart.

Tammy | 7:48 a.m. April 23, 2008

It's pretty simple. If you like Walmart, shop there. If you don't, shop where you normally do and don't give them your business.

Comments continue below

Been there, don't like them | 8:30 a.m. April 23, 2008

Isn't it just about like them to say something like "regardless of any issues, a WM Supercenter will be built on this site'...... They are so powerful they can do anything they want! I lived in the NW Arkansas area until about 2 years ago. Walmart HQ is not kind to their employees. I've seen VP's axed in a Friday morning sales meeting with no prior notice. They may have been there 20 years but it doesn't mean anything to WM. They can always bring in some young buck who's just graduated from college at a much lower salary. Pretty much says it all about them, doesn't it!

Down With Wal Mart | 9:05 a.m. April 23, 2008

Good lord, there are enough Wal-Marts in the SLC valley already. I feel for the Senior Citizens, but at the same time, lets not ruin the whole neighborhood because the oldies don't want to drive an extra mile to the DAN'S FOOD STORE on Foothill drive - not but a mile from the site of this Wal-Mart.

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES

WM Supporter | 9:32 a.m. April 23, 2008

It's a pretty simple question . . .

Rezone - WM builds a new building (same size) with modern effiencies, updated Architecture, lighting, and landscaping.

No rezone - WM slaps up their sign and puts a fresh coat of paint on an old ugly building.

Why wouldn't you support a rezone?

me | 9:46 a.m. April 23, 2008

yippy more competition in the market, by a company who has helped more poor people than any goverment agency has in the pass 20 years

BAN WALMART | 10:36 a.m. April 23, 2008

Sugarhouse is one of the few areas where local business has actually been able to thrive (until the recent grazing of the Granite furniture block). Adding walmart will only further deplete the local charm of the community.

For those who think it's as simple as just shopping somewhere else - it's not that simple. Walmart has a long, sordid history of invading small local communities, driving out all the mom & pop shops and then pulling out of the community leaving it basically desolate. Just wait and see what happens to Heber & Midway after walmart opens there.

Furthermore, the community council should not be catering to one big-box giant. If walmart can't fit it current business operations into current local zoning ordinances, then it shouldn't consider setting up shop there. That is what really is the bottom line and the simple answer.

Also - walmart does nothing for the poor except help keep them poor.

I hope the Sugar House council has the pride and faith in its community to finally stand up this unruly bully. I love this community and its charm and hope everyone can come together to preserve this gem of a community.

Scott | 10:39 a.m. April 23, 2008

This community was blind-sided when KMart built, and has spent the many years since then getting -- and protecting -- the zoning that's in place now. We don't want a WalMart, or a Target for that matter. The current zoning reflects what we want.
Furthermore, the current building is not shaped or oriented anything like any other WalMart. I am not convinced they will simply remodel the current building -- it is just not an efficient layout. For them to say otherwise is simply a threat. WalMart bought the property speculating that they can get the zoning changed. If they don't get it rezoned they'll just sell, and with a new owner we have a chance at getting what we've worked for for many years.
Please listen to what those closest to KMart want. Thank you.

T | 10:39 a.m. April 23, 2008

I just say get rid of the "came apart". I like wal mart but, Sugarhouse does want to keep some local shops. I don't mind driving 5-10 min to the other wal mart.

LIVE FREE OR DIE | 10:49 a.m. April 23, 2008

To me:
You really think Walmart has helped poor people?
You probably don't realize that Walmart restricts employees wages and hours just to make sure they don't make too much money.
This is so their employees qualify for Government programs paid for by you, me, and everbody that pays taxes.
I don't believe we should have to help support the world's largest retailer employees.
I am not even going to post about the other downsides of this corrupt corporation.
Walmart always low prices(as long as the taxpayers have to flip the bill.)

Zac | 11:28 a.m. April 23, 2008

To "Down With Wal-Mart"

Dan's Foods isn't local. Look into it.

I've lived in the area my whole life and the existing K.Mart building is such an eyesore to look at. C'mon folks, lets be real here. Fact of the matter is this...Wal-Mart is moving in. FACT. If the rezone does not pass, we get to look at that white stain even longer...only with a Wal-Mart sign on it. I will not shop at Wal-Mart, but I would rather have a nice new building there than a white concrete block.

Been there, don't like them | 12:32 p.m. April 23, 2008

I'm with LIVE FREE OR DIE. they're right! I look at Walmart as Big Brother. Where we lived in ARK, they built a BUNKER with all their computer systems and it was said around the community that if the Govt ever lost its communications, they could run things through this bunker with WM. Pretty sad, huh. I am so sick of seeing them go into small communities which are quaint and have mom & pop businesses. They build a store, then 6 months later they shut that one down and it SITS vacant, while they build a SUPERCENTER next to it or across the street. Come on people, don't any of you like the variety that the older community stores has? WM is crushing us.

Ummm Zac | 12:34 p.m. April 23, 2008

Dan's is not local... what are you smoking? Can you find me a Dan's in any other state? They are NOW owned by Associated Foods but they were a locally owned store for quite a while. Make sure you have your facts before you spot off

JOE J | 12:49 p.m. April 23, 2008

EAST SIDE WAL-MART WOULD DO SALT LAKE A WORLD OF GOOD. THEY WOULD HAVE A MUCH BETTER DEAL THAN K-MART AND BETTER PRODUCTS.

Hooray! | 1:04 p.m. April 23, 2008

Everyone should be entitled to live within close proximity to at least 5 Wal-Marts. Sugarhouse residents should be no different.

Long Time in Sugarhouse | 1:07 p.m. April 23, 2008

I grew up in this neighborhood and have seen every "mom and pop" business change over the years. Nobody "drove" them anywhere, does anyone remember the drug store & ice cream store - now 2 restaurants, the drycleaners - now a coffee shop, Taco Bell - now a bank, and the old Dan's Food has been a restaurant, video store, flower shop and a fitness center at least. Times change, as has the old neighborhood. Shop where you will - you still have choices - but a beautiful new store in the area would be a nice visual edition to that blighted area. There are pros and cons but the very best thing for our beloved community is selective rezoning. Welcome Wal-Mart - you know how we feel - and please be the kind of Corporate neighbor we would want in our neighborhood. :)

Zac | 1:18 p.m. April 23, 2008

Ummm Zac,

Seriously? Where in my comment did I ever make the claim they were local. I said they weren't. It was a response to another comment telling people to support local business. Why don't you re-read what was posted before you spot off.

Zac | 1:25 p.m. April 23, 2008

Ummm Zac,

Wow, tell me where I made the claim that Dan's is local. I stated that they weren't (were not.) It was a response to someone urging people to support local businesses, (which they are not (anymore, and thank you for the clarification, I was unsure of that.)) Why don't you make sure you really read something before you spot off.

Trashed | 2:01 p.m. April 23, 2008

I wish Wal-Mart would leave people and the land alone! They are big pigs! They also want to build a Wal-Mar in MOAB, of all things! They are spoiling the beauty of our land with their UGLY stores.

What? | 3:12 p.m. April 23, 2008

Moab doesn't have a Wal-Mart? That's just un-American!

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.