At least once a week, we drive fifteen miles, one way, to go shopping. And it during these trips that I ask myself this question: Will Van Alstyne ever have a Walmart, CVS, Walgreen's, or a chain retail outlet of any kind? Although we do have several chain restaurants, albeit fast food varieties, we have no chain retail outlets.
The price of gas has gone down considerably since this time a year ago, but there is still wear and tear on the car and the time factor that must be considered when driving thirty miles round trip to buy something simple, but necessary.
Wouldn't a Neighborhood Walmart be the answer? The store is smaller than the larger "big box" type store, has a smaller parking area, and keeps signage to a minimum. Yes, it would have grocery, pharmacy, and hardware items that might affect sales at local businesses that now have a monopoly on those types of items. But when local shopping choices are a grocery store that has infrequent perishable item deliveries and small, locally owned stores, i.e., pharmacy and hardware, with limited inventories, it is very difficult to only shop at stores in downtown Van Alstyne.
Maybe it's time for the city government and residents to consider Walmart, neighborhood or otherwise, and I for one, will support it.
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