Wal-Mart would degrade the environment and the character of the town. There's already a Wal-Mart 5 miles away. I think it would also degrade the rather upscale shopping area nearby. If I were Jos Banks and Talbots, I wouldn't want to be anchored by WalMart. How about a quality dept store, or better yet, a park and playground, in that space?
Although I like the landscape of Blacksburg, I think there is potential for improvement on a small scale. I oppose big-box stores, but I think there is a need to propose an alternative. If we're going to oppose the Wal-Mart, let's have a plan for a better use for the space. Space for organic gardening comes to mind. Expanding the farmer's market is a possibility.
Big-chain stores only enrich the richest and impoverish the poorest. Their economic impact goes beyond Bburg frontiers: because the way they operate (offering the lowest prices to costumers in USA) such stores sponsor “slavery” conditions in many third world countries. Consume local!
So lets add up the Walmarts: 1) Christiansburg 2) Pearisburg 3) Salem 4)Roanoke 1 5) Roanoke 2 6)Blacksburg?! While I would welcome some kind of retail presence on South Main, Walmart isn't what I had in mind
Putting a horrible cooperation that doesn't even give their employees health insurance in Blacksburg is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. Its bad enough there are two in a 15 mile radius.
I think the uniqueness of Blacksburg is why it's a growing town and a desirable place to live - it doesn't look like every other town in America with chain businesses lining the streets. With all these stores a 10 minute drive away, what would Blacksburg gain by allowing a replica of the Christiansburg Walmart area?
WalMart sucks the life out of towns. I like Blacksburg the way it is. You can easily drive, bike, take the BT to Corporate Haven better known as Christiansburg. Keep Blacksburg Local!!!!
Blacksburg has been a "special place". It's important to keep it that way by keeping out mega-stores, especially when we have such close access in Cburg
One small town in the NRV has been destroyed by this kind of development (see Christiansburg). Blacksburg is still a very "special place" and we would like to keep it that way.
Kmart failed in Blacksburg. Roses failed in Blacksburg. All because they moved out to Christiansburg. We can drive to Christiansburg, we don't need another empty superstore in Blacksburg.
There is no point to having a Wal-Mart in Blacksburg, there is already one in Christiansburg. Having a Wal-Mart built just takes away from the peacefulness of the Burg.
Things are great the way they are now. C'burg has all the commercial businesses and B'burg has Tech. This keeps things dispersed. B'burg's roads cannot handle traffic for both. Right now B'burg still has a small town/college town feel to it--commercial development will ruin this.
Big box stores have no place in town. In-town retail space is empty. The area behind Kroger is a wetland and not appropriate (and legal) for development
I don't want Blacksburg looking like the business sprawl around the mall. People like Blacksburg because it's eclectic and interesting. If they want to buy cheap imported stuff, then it's only a 10 minute drive or a bus ride away.
