We already have tons of big-box stores, and a Walmart, five miles up the road. Big-box stores like Walmart put local stores out of business, and send profits out of the community.
They also often have a bad track record of exploiting their employees and polluting the environment.
This would kill any appeal Blacksburg has to people who may consider moving here in the future. Who wants to live in a town full of ugly big-box stores? NO ONE!!!
Our downtown has been suffering for some time now. Instead of trying to get major chains into town, we need to focus the town's effort on supporting the unique local businesses that give Blacksburg its character. This ordinance would help the citizens do that.
Everything you could get at Walmart is already available in Blacksburg. If you absolutely need to go to Walmart you can drive OR ride the Blacksburg Transit to Christiansburg.
Wal-Mart is a death rattle to any community's small business community. The corporation rakes in billions of dollars and treats employees as a disposable commodity
Keep corporate businesses out of small town America
I ask the council to protect our town uniquiness from businesses that are not community friendly. They do not put any value into the special small town nature of Blacksburg.
People who want to stay in Blacksburg, who have a long term investment, are attracted to local businesses. The flight of Annie Kay's and Crossroads from the core downtown area is harrowing enough without the effects of a Wal-Mart. Also, it would make walking or bicycling in the area dangerous, destroying the appeal of being able to get along without a car.
With Christiansburg a 10 minute car or bus ride and 30 minute bike ride Blacksburg has no need for big-box stores. Allowing these stores in Blacksburg would destroy the small town atmosphere that we all love and would increase traffic on the already congested S. Main Street.
The real value of towns like Blacksburg is the community support of local businesses. It is a rare quality of small towns today. Hike my taxes, just maintain the mom-and-pop stores and keep out the large retail stores that might put them out of business.
I moved to Blacksburg because of the small town nature. We have business locations for lease all over this town right now... why do we need to build more retail space?? And a box store at that?? We don't need this in our town. Also, putting a huge parking lot next to an elementary school where kids are walking and playing is a horrible idea. I've been shocked by the number of people that have been hit by cars since I've lived here. Small children and lots of traffic are not a good mix for this town.
I was forced to go to a WalMart right across from the entrance to Liberty University yesterday. The traffic was horrendous. I'd hate to see South Main Street strangled with a similar albatross.
There is no question that we need to fast-track approval of Ordinance 1450 in order to preserve the character of our town. There's no room for Walmart or any other Big Box in Blacksburg.
Take a walk through any large box store and view through your Justice filter. Who is benefitting? The customer, the employee the community? None of the above.
We have a Walmart like 5 miles from the proposed site. Why in the world would it be necessary to have another so close by? Also, the beauty of Blacksburg is its small town charm. No way to Walmart!
As a long-time Blacksburg resident, I couldn't be more against a Walmart. Save what's left of our downtown! The realestate monopolies and high rent are driving enough businesses away, we don't need a 400lb corporate gorilla coming in and finishing the job.
A big box store (Walmart) came to Pulaski w/o protest and caused many other businesses to dry up. Now the company is thinking of closing the store when they build a new one in Dublin. They're relentless.
What happened to the mixed use development? Seems like they started with a good idea and chipped away until we get another Christiansburg nightmare. NO BIG BOX STORES IN BBURG!!
We need to protect the small business atmosphere in downtown Bbg and further enhance a pedestrian environment to maintain our quality of life here. With super stores come super sized parking lots, excessive lighting, and water run off. This is not welcome in Blacksburg.
Please preserve the small businesses and charm of downtown Blacksburg, and keep out the corporations like WalMart that thrive on exploiting disadvantaged people.
Ordinance 1450 will help to preserve vital business diversity and freedom of choice for consumers in Blacksburg as well as set an example for other communities. Lack of diversity (small stores WILL close if Wal-Mart or another big box comes)creates instability and puts ALL businesses at risk. As for the bait-and-switch tactics, any developers that intentionally attempt to deceive the people of this community do not deserve the priveledge of doing business in ANY community! As a Realtor, I believe SMART development enhances a community's assets; it should NOT destroy them.
WalMart as Company is in gross violations of its finanacil responsiblites to communities and employess, in America and China. The class action lawsuits that employees and communities can bring against must proceed at top speed in for living wages and the health of people are balanced and in place WORLDWIDE. Business is about the right to survive above a shoe string salary, but with a personal profit to their families...not just corporate profits.
