heights_yankee

Based on the website it seems they do make a few "natural" flavors daily, those cost $1 extra. The big list of flavors that doesn't change are the same mass-produced stuff everyone else uses.

OK. But is there anywhere with those cheaper prices that I can take my kids, sit outside on the grass and get a good shaved ice? if there is, I'll go but right now the sit outside and grass and toddler friendly trump the prices (we only buy the small and the baby doesn't get his own, so our net loss is $1 per visit)

No doubt, this fight is not novel. However the arguments seem to isolate Walmart for ills for which others are gulity...and ignored while those others are celebrated. Particularly in the context of what has been posted on many threads herein, that's hypocrisy. That's what's disappointing for me. I think that disappointment is the root of derision which others are projecting.

Actually, there was a lot of discussion on here and on other forums about the Target center when it was proposed. There was not a lot of opposition, as I remember anyway, and I think a lot of that was the location. I think what a lot of people have is an optimism and a hope for something better in the proposed Walmart location. Anyway, the Target drew a lot of criticism, especially as the smaller store names came in and people realized it was a mattress store and a Chili's. There were a lot of pictures of "urban" Target marketplaces that people hoped for and lots of grumbling about the parking lot we ended up with instead.

No, it was not to such a degree as the Walmart issue but again many people have issues with Walmart that go beyond just this development. On the "sorry excuse for a FB page" a lot of people mention having not set foot in a Walmart in years and that their boycott started long before this thread started on the HAIF.

I love how in this thread the same people who are just rich folks who don't care about the poor people who need Walmart are also the same people who resent anyone who makes any money. The people who are accused of being shallow and having no principles are also derided for trying to save the world. This is why this whole conversation makes no sense anymore. People aren't allowed to have varying view points with out being personally maligned for being on the other side of the issue. It's sad, honestly, the path this has taken. I was trying to take part in a conversation which has now gotten so mean spirited that I'm out.

(2) People being underpaid and mistreated…just like dishwashers in the locally owned restaurants, the workers who mill clothes at Target, and those who harvest our food available at the local grocery stores. May we strive to cure all such things.

(3) The proposed Walmart is in the Heights. It’s not. It’s on an odd, ugly undeveloped brownfield, south of the Katy Freeway. I have spoken out against the redevelopment of 945 Heights, (sometimes in most distasteful ways). I have expressed concerns and even argued with Redscare about 2125 Heights. I just don’t view the proposed Walmart as the uber-threat with which it is being treated. The issues for which I have stood before were totally in the middle of our neighborhood. This is not.

I don’t care if this Walmart flies or not. In light of the disaster in the Gulf, the two wars in which our Nation is engaged, and our struggling economy, the furor over this seems absurd. I ask that the discourse over this find a more balanced plateau in all manners.

I do strive to cure all those things. I do it with my pocket book and with my vote in the elections. I work on social injustices on many levels, wherever I feel I have a voice. I'm a whacked out crazy Liberal like that. But politics is another forum. Much like the other stereotypes and generalizations about individuals in this thread, I just don't think it's a fair assumption to say that people who don't want Walmart are dedicating all their time to this issue and nothing else, or that they are coming out of nowhere on the issue when many people have boycotted and fought WM's development for years. It's not a novel thing and it's not just this small number of people on HAIF talking about it.

I wish this was a more balanced discussion as well.

From the same article...

Yes, one of 3 residents who supported the store. Mr Kazamis and you can call people "elitists" all you want but that isn't a hard fact. Battery acid and trash are "facts" that others showed in the meeting. The value drop in property around the Dunvale store is a "fact." While I think statistics are questionable in any situation, I can say that crime stats around Walmarts exist where I have yet to see where a Walmart has brought a decrease in crime to any area. So, it seems name calling and stereotyping are the reasons FOR Walmart and FACTS are the reasons to be OPPOSED to Walmart.

Name one (that isn't a pipe dream).

Well, the HEB that Walmart outbid is a start...

For the AntiWalmarters (over 1000 on FB now), How Spring Valley stopped Walmart

""The impact on real estate values is difficult to measure," 18-year resident John Byerly told the nine-member commission. "But I can tell you that in the 30 years I have been selling real estate, every buyer I dealt with did not want to be anywhere near a situation like this store."

Spring Valley resident Tom Rusnek supported his neighbor's contention with a 10-minute slide show that received a standing ovation from the boisterous crowd.

Rusnek's slides displayed images of Wal-Mart stores in the Houston area. His presentation showed leaking oil and battery acid, piled up storage containers, poorly maintained landscaping, and piles of trash and old tires.

"Property values in Houston last year went up 9.2 percent, and the property values in Spring Valley were up 10.9 percent last year," Rusnek said. "However, last year the property located adjacent to the Dunvale store dropped 11.27 percent."

A second slide show was presented by Bruce Spain. His presentation refuted an independent safety study that was presented last week.

Spain said the study did not take into account the types of crimes that would be committed with a supercenter, and failed to account for crimes such as forgery, vandalism and harassment.

"The study's proposed increase in police officers will consume more than half the tax revenue Wal-Mart will bring to Spring Valley," he said. "And if we meet the required protection of 168 hours the study suggest, then all of the tax revenue will be gone. There will be no new money."

Spain, who said he is a Wal-mart stock holder, was unequivocal in his opposition."

There aren't any better options out there. Not realistic ones. When will see with open eyes what the true state of the economy (and commercial real estate and finance, specifically). It is time to adjust your dated utopian visions of mixed-use, town-square, quasi-urban wholesomeness for all. Quit being willfully ignorant of reality.

This is the reality: Houston Pavillions: mainly empty. West End: almost entirely empty. City Centre: mostly empty. Regent Square: dirt. For three years, dirt. And consider that Houston is in better shape than nearly all of the country. The Costco development got it right on Richmond and would like to see Wal-Mart do the same thing. I think it's unlikely though.

Like Niche said, the growth is coming from well capitalized grocery and big box retail. Dream all you want, there's not going to be mixed use boutique hotel, gymboree/slash whatever built on that large a site. It is not economically viable now and it won't be for years. Right now this country is saturated by retail that people aren't buying. Wal-Mart will bring things people will buy, and a net gain of jobs to the area, period. None of the other big boxes ringing the Heights forced businesses and jobs out. Not Lowes and HD on the north loop, not Target, not the new giant Kroger.

You are using a 20 year old argument pertinent to small town America and it simply doesn't apply in Houston, Texas. Protest Wal Mart labor practices all you want, but understand that keeping people under 40 hours a week is the rule, not the exception, in large retailers. Shop at Target and pretend that the cute sundress you just bought was not made in Ecuador by near-slave labor. Delude yourself into thinking that HEB is a Chinese-plastic free zone. Do whatever makes you feel right and good. But for the love of god, don't keep pushing this non-argument that a Yale St Wal Mart will take jobs and destroy businesses. At this location, in this city, it will not.

If you'd actually go back and read all my comments in this thread rather than just assuming you know what I believe based on the stereotype you have of me, you would see that I have said more than once that I don't think Walmart will take business from the local retailers in the Heights. BUT i also don't think it's going to be a retail and job utopia for all the disenfranchised of the inner loop, either. that's equally as foolish and also short sighted.

Actually, one half of the Heights is not old people. However, over half of the Greater Heights Super Neighborhood is Hispanic. Additionally, 56% of Greater Heights families make less than $50,000 per year, and would benefit greatly from the availability of low priced goods. There is definitely a disconnect between the actual demographic composition of those who live within the Greater Heights area and those with an idealized view of what the Heights is or should be. While some believe that the Heights is an enclave of enlightened upper middle class white citizens with an appreciation of historic homes, range fed meat and poultry, and products lovingly crafted by well paid workers and sold by local merchants who also wish to save the planet, the reality is far different. For every family with a $100,000 income affording them the opportunity to eschew big box stores not named Target, Whole Foods, or HEB and the luxury of installing Pella Architect Series windows on their historic bungalows with the 2 story addition in the back, there are 5 other families whose sub $50,000 incomes make them lucky to even replace the broken glass with a new pane. I do not know if the over $100,000 crowd is blissfully ignorant that over half their neighbors struggle mightily to pay the bills, or if they secretly wish to price them out of the neighborhood. I simply know that a new Walmart built on the other side of a hideously grotesque freeway overpass will not only not harm my property value, but also make the day to day lives of half of my neighbors marginally easier. For that reason, I am not opposed to a Walmart on the site of a former steel factory.

(Source: City of Houston Super Neighborhood Demographics)

You loooove to stereotype. I know a lot of people in that income range who do a lot for their community, who are giving and care about their community. I also know a lot of people in that income range who are total douchebags. I also know a lot people under $50k who are equally as douchy and are more elitist than their higher earning counter parts. Can we leave the stereotyping behind? It really doesn't add much to the discussion.

I live on a very mixed income block and I know that the elderly Hispanic couple across the street from me [who also have their special needs granddaughter living with them] will continue to shop at Fiesta and the stores across Main even if the Walmart is built. My white next door neighbor doesn't earn $100k or probably even $50k (he works as a band photographer) but shops at Whole Foods sometimes, and Fiesta other times. He loves Whole Foods probably because he is the kind of guy that thinks preservatives are a government conspiracy and that the foil wrappers in Velveeta can track your movements for the FBI. If you met him, you would certainly not think there was anything elitist about him even though he is primarily a WF shopper. Ironic that my neighbor on the other side is a DEA agent. The middle aged, gay, white petroleum engineers on the corner might shop at Walmart but they might not. They don't offer many political opinions but based on the careful renovation job they did on their house they're obviously jerks, so I guess we'll say no. Of all the people on my block, all of whom I know, the most likely to shop at Walmart is probably the newest couple- 20 something, DINKS, with small dogs in a 2/1.

I am also curious to see how the demographics you cite are going to change when the new census numbers are released. When the numbers the SN has were put together, they were most likely based on the 2000 census at which point an area like Cottage Grove was 100% low earning and minority. That area is probably only 50% low earning now. I am not saying this is a good thing, but I think the numbers will need to be adjusted. Just like the Target wasn't made a Super because of old demographics, Walmart may be looking at those same demographics and getting a false picture of it supposed clientele. I'm not saying the townhouse hell Cottage Grove has become is a good thing, but it's a very real thing.

But I am curious if the Walmart supporters think that Walmart is the only option? Are you just being so adamant because you don't like it when people have contrary opinions? For example, if this thread wasn't about Walmart, but rather was titled "What would you like to see if you could choose anything for development on this parcel?" What if Walmart were never mentioned and you were starting with a clean slate? Would Walmart be the 1st thing that would come to mind for you? Or would you have had a different vision? Maybe mixed income housing like they have on the east side of Austin? Maybe a small hotel that would employ 300 ppl, plus a restaurant employing 100 more and a few shops, employing 100+ more, all totaling more jobs and generally higher income, even in the lowest positions (hosuekeepers, busboys) for low earners, than Walmart would thus affording these people a better standard of living. If they already live in the area and shop at Walmart, they can continue to go to the (assuming 290) location and still have more pocket money at the end of the day. You might not find it more convenient, but it's about jobs, right? So, rather than 600 parking spaces for one big box, they have a garage with 600+ spaces and multiple businesses, creating more jobs than a Walmart would. Would you want that? Because that is what most of the anti-Walmart people want. We think there are better options out there.

I'd love nothing more than to see the concerned heights neighbors do a real protest of the proposed Yale Wal Mart.

Think of it as a meaningful vacation from strenuous days of blogging, girls lunches at Stella Sola, play dates, bikini boot camp,and taking your overly-accesorized children to Berryhill while the moms relax with some 'ritas. Raise awareness for the cause by mobilizing for hours a day in the 100 degree heat, marching in the dirt with signs and bullhorns. Or how about going door- to- door with clipboards? Forming a human chain in front of the bulldozers? If you did, you might get a tiny bit of insight into the tiring, hot and less-than-comfortable lives of the people for whom WalMart is a good thing.

Yea, I know I'm being hyperbolic and rude. I originally expressed these sentiments in a PM, but I feel compelled to go public with them. I've had dear friends in the Heights on and off for more than 20 years, and there's a lot about it I love. But I am really, really glad that I did not buy a house there. Because lately I find the misdirected, contradictory righteousness just downright suffocating. We're talking about empty dirt by the railroad tracks, on the other side of the freeway, generating no jobs and nothing to the tax base. I understand taking a philosophical stance, but not at the expense of our community during a recession.

I will say this to the Stop Wal-Mart crowd: whatever big box retailer builds on that site, watch the news when they start

hiring. When 5,000 people show up to apply for 250 jobs, ask yourself: are my priorities perhaps misplaced?

I am willing to bet this nastiness is directed at me since I think I am the only obvious mother who has a blog in this thread (and I go to Berryhill and drink margaritas). I don't go to boot camp and I've never had lunch at Stella Sola and I have sons so they don't wear accessories, but I get the fact that you are stereotyping. And I can add to this that you know nothing about me outside of how you have stereotyped me. For you to think I have come to this position in life easily and that I have no understanding of a less-than-comfortable life makes you just as self righteous as anyone else.

As I've said before, I think that people who are anti-Walmart are in many cases because they care about people and feel that WM does a lot of things to perpetuate the poverty cycle. This is what I have expressed many times in this thread. I understand that others think Walmart benefits the poor with their pricing, but I think the bad outweighs the good and a lot of others feel that way as well.

Also, I don't think anyone wants to see nothing on that site and see it remain a dirt lot. People just had higher hopes for this area than 1 giant big box store with a mcdonalds and a 600 space parking lot. There could be something like a scaled down, area appropriate City Centre which would employ a huge and diverse population, from chamber maids at a hotel to clerks, receptionists, waiters thru to management. Maybe people who worked at the new hotel and movie theater might even get some health benefits and be allowed to work a 40 hour week. Who knows? People would just like something else, something better for everyone.

People-watching at a Wal-Mart off of Washington Avenue after the bars close should be a blast! I'm already looking forward to shopping there.

I'm gonna give you that one.

...and if anyone has any interest in reading and/or participating - here is a link to a FB page - Stop Heights Wal-Mart: http://www.facebook.com/StopHeightsWalMart?v=wall

Is this just a FB page or is there any actual community action behind it?

maybe it's the same little bird that told swamplot: http://swamplot.com/walmart-yes-walmart-is-ready-to-land-on-heights-blvd/2010-07-01/

So, someone posted the Swamplot post to Heights Kids Group and a mom in the group responded with this:

I can tell you that I have professional relationships with the developer seeking to build on that site and they are most definitely not negotiating a ground lease with Walmart.

ETA: but now I am unsure of what parcel she is talking about. Still, even Sarnoff was unable to really confirm anything.

Once Yale is developed and the area around Arne's, I'm going to be hard pressed to leave the Heights. I hate traffic.

Hello I need help.

My cat has been missing since Sunday night and none of my neighbors seem to have seen her. Although she is an outside animal, she is a fixture in my backyard and in four years has rarely missed a breakfast or dinner. She is a white longhair and is extremely shy. I live in the 800 block of Arlington. If anyone has spotted her would you please let me know. Also, if there are some seasoned pet people out there I would appreciate any tips for where else to call or look.

Thanks!

A Peaceful Pet on White Oak has a lost pets page on her website and google search Gary Nuke Pets. His is very well known in the Heights.

If you want to PM me your contact information, I can post this for you on Heights Kids Group as well.

while undoubtedly location isn't the sole reason it failed, i think that it contributed to it. textile catered to a very high-end clientele, and the heights is surrounded on three sides with neighborhoods that could not afford it. furthermore, there are not many businesses and hotels in the area, both of which would provide business travelers and expense accounts to pay for such expensive meals (granted downtown isn't far away, but it takes awhile to get over there from DT). again, no doubt the restaurant had other issues, but if it had been in the Galleria, Village, Greenway, Montrose, or River Oaks it would have had a better chance of surviving.

Restaurants fail in those neighborhoods all the time. I would even venture to guess that they fail in greater percentages due to the amount of competition. Any half way decent concept in the Heights has done very well. Even Happy All Cafe manages to stay open. However, you are right- it takes more than just neighborhood folks to support these restaurants and they certainly do. I know people who drive in from The Woodlands to eat at Stella Sola, have run in to a guy my husband works with from Memorial at Shade, talked to someone just the other day who came from the museum district to eat at Zelko. I mean, Textile wasn't Tony's as far as price. Depending on how much you drink, the prices were commensurate with dinner at Stella Sola or Glasswall. You can't blame prices alone and you can't blame the Heights. Bad concept, inaccessible, bad service, big ego.

This is the kind of thing you need to be doing to be successful at $115/pp (not sure what he charges for these dinners at Bootsie's, but his Tenacity dinners were usually around $75, BYOB).

Randy Rucker is drawing 30 people to Tomball. On a Tuesday!

Tycer's problem was not location.

But don't some think it was in large part location that killed Rucker's Laidback Manor?

I will try most new restaurants in the Heights and all over Houston (if I know about them). We eat out a lot and love new places. We tried to go to Textile twice. The reservation process was a real run around- you have to call his catering manager, leave a message and they will call you back... maybe. When my husband finally got ahold of someone, the person he spoke to was very rude and condescending. My hubs isn't easily put out by people but this guy seriously annoyed him. We couldn't get a reservation for a number of weeks so decided to move on. Second time, we could never get anyone on the phone and messages were not returned. So, I had the good will. Textile was the one lacking.

I do have a couple friends who were lucky enough to get in. No one had anything spectacular to report. One friend mentioned it was a real disappointment compared to tasting menus from other restaurants in town.

If I was going to go at all at this point, it only would have been for Plinio's desserts.

This discussion was also happening on a local message board I read and most of the people tend to live outside the loop. Several commented to me that they have never even heard of Textile and one person who lives in the Heights commented that she hardly ever saw or heard anything about Textile [in the press].

Anyway, I don't think the neighborhood is to blame. Worse places have survived in equally bad locations. I think PP made a good point that at his prices, Tycer has to really deliver- esp when you only have like 10 tables. HOw much you wanna bet the next location is a heck of a lot bigger?

And, I don't really trust Tycer. He closed Aries, which was popular and nationally recognized, at the peak of its renown and reopened in the same place as Pic- which we gave 2 chances and it was abhorrent. It closed after only a couple months in business. He thought he was infallible that time and I wonder if this time he isn't just looking for a scape goat?

Tweeted this morning by HouPress's food blg: Textile isn't closed indefinitely, but only "temporarily" for the summer while Tycer scouts a new location. Relief? Or diversion?

I vote for diversion.

ETA: and his new business partner doesn't have much of a friendly following in the Heights. Whether it's deserved or not is debatable but the fact is Ryan Hildebrand has a bad reputation after tearing down Ashland House. Again, some people didn't care but enough did that I was surprised he even accepted the job at Textile. I bet he knew they were going to move

The rates seem similar to the rates in 4plex units around Montrose, and I dunno, I always found it a little weird to live right behind your landlord, but ymmv.

Many of the garage apts around me are a rental in the main house as well.

Yankee,

I was referring to your previous post on the subject of the new Heights Historic District South Application and the new moratorium passed by the Mayor and City Council regarding demolitions and new construction in Houstons Historic Districts (the HPO, or Historic Preservation Ordinance)...A different thread here on HAIF, where you expressed your opinion.

You stated that you supported the regulation of property rights in Houston historic districts yet you are bashing corporate America for limiting home size of their employees (sounds like a stretch but anyway...)

Is there any way you can walk both sides of that fence? If so, please explain how.

The mayor, City Council, and the HAHC now have the power to dictate property use, home size, and new construction in the Heights and other historic districts in Houston. On the same hand you are quoted as blaming a corporation for regulating what their employees can buy and or build.

I honestly don't see the difference.

Thanks for clearing up for me what I believe.

Yankee,

I thought you were a strong supporter of dictating home sizes. What's the problem? The Mayor is now telling us what we can buy and build...all is right in the Heights.

You thought wrong. And what does the mayor have to do with Walmart?

Well, I finally got the opportunity to drive through the Washington Ave Douchebag District (WADD) tonight around 10:30-11pm. It was full of all sorts of characters and lots of women who were wearing a lot less than they should have been. People were parked all down both sides of the streets (including in the "No Parking Jitney Loading Zones"). Most of the cars that were moving were driving like idiots and trying to dodge the aforementioned douchebags that were walking down the middle of the street trying to get to their bars. And of course there were dozens of parking lot attendants standing in traffic trying to wave people into their lots. I was surprised how many of the parking lots boasted "Safe and Secure" parking -- they'll regret that promise as soon as someone gets jacked in their lot.

If you like this place, go ahead and flame me.

It's not really my scene but I do think it's nice to have an area where people can walk from place to place and there is a concentration of nightlife. I kinda wish it was downtown instead of Washington though.

But I know the scene you're talking about. They really need some kind of traffic control down. It's dangerous, more so as the night wears on and the drunks leave the bars. This is why I think the jitney idea is awesome and think it's even more awesome that people can leave their cars over night in the wave parking lot rather than drive home wasted. I've never thought it made sense for bars to tow people if they leave their cars overnight? I think that can, in some situations, force someone to drive home who otherwise might just leave their car. Very smart of the jitney to realize that. Hopefully people take advantage of it.

Yes. Isn't that the point of holding an opinion is that you've considered the alternatives and determined your preference?

Besides, it's not like we're arguing over whether brunettes are more attractive than blonds or whether my farts stink. That kind of thing is 100% subjective, and there's no accounting for taste. The Wal-Mart or Yale Street issue can be formulated and argued logically based upon mutually-agreed-upon values and criteria. And that's what we're doing.

This is another area where I think a very, very, verrrrry large majority of people would be in complete agreement.

And for the record, brunettes are also empirically more attractive.

Now we're getting somewhere.

Guilty as charged. When the opinion is based on flawed logic or incorrect information, I feel compelled to point it out. Sorry if it is offensive to you. This is similar to the gentrification arguments that were all the rage a few years back. It was popular to decry gentrification on the grounds that it forced old people and the poor out of their homes. None of this was based on actual facts, just that it seemed logical. When studies were actually done, it was found that few people were ever forced out by gentrification. Some chose to cash out, profiting on the increased home value, using those profits to improve their living conditions. However, most stayed and benefited from the increased development and more choices in retail offerings that the gentrification spurred....like new nearby low price stores.

The same can be said with other Heights arguments, but I'll leave them out of a Walmart discussion, though it is topical to the Heights.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing but, again, you think any opinion different from your own is illogical or incorrect. Take for example a discussion that happened here about Yale being widened. You saw the widening of Yale as something to benefit you and therefore you deemed it "right." People who had concerns about it were deemed "wrong" and their reasons invalidated by your opinions, not by facts because there are no facts to say what will or won't happen if/when the road gets widened because it hasn't happened yet. It's all supposition. Yet you treat it like it's a forgone conclusion that it will be wonderful when actually it could really suck. You do not have the ability to ever say "I am for something and these are my reasons" without adding "and you are incorrect and your reasons invalid. They have to be because they differ from mine."

Same with this. You think because you see a benefit in WalMart for yourself that having it built HAS to be the right answer, which makes other wrong rather than just a different side of the coin. Truly closed minded. You also seem to change your opinions about things just so you can argue with people and that isn't lost on us- even people like me who waste too much time volleying with you.

Granted, I wish that there was a smaller increment than 20-99, but being what it is...my feeling is that that's a medium-sized firm. When a firm has enough staff to take an entire floor of an office building, that's not exactly mom-and-pop in my mind. But hey, these terms like "small business" and "middle class" are so subjective, anyway, as to render the discussion meaningless. That's another valid criticism of HeightsYankee's rant, so thank you.

Wal-Mart has 2.1 million employees, or approximately 21,212 times the number of employees per CEO than a 99-employee "small business".

The owner of a firm that can take up a whole floor is probably not "middle class" but certainly many of his/her employees are. Also, my argument is not solely for "mom & pop" which someone else brought in to the dialogue. My support is for local.

Rant: this word proves the great irony of the conversation happening here (other than irony that this is all just rumor and speculation at this point). I am defending my opinion that I don't want a Walmart near me because I don't like them as a company and I prefer to not see their corporation grow anymore because I think they do more harm than good on several levels. You (and even more so our friend Red) on the other hand rant while stating your opinions as facts and leave no room for anyone to have a differing opinion. It wouldn't get so tired and obnoxious if there was more "You're entitled to your opinion but I think that it's a good thing for X,Y,Z reasons and am happy"... There is a way of talking about things where everyone can give their opinions from their personal angle without having to disprove what the other person believes. You can't seem to do that. You want to spend all your time disproving my opinions instead of just expressing your own and leaving it at that.

2 or 3 Walmarts in 1/4 of the state? And you claim that this has decimated the economy? I'll let your comment speak for itself.

I am not sure why your "automatic assumptions" are valid and mine are not. You "automatically assume" that a Walmart will put Heights retailers out of business (though you do not seem to automatically assume the same for Walmart's alter ego, Target), and you further "automatically assume" that I have not visited the local stores to see their prices. While I freely admit that I do not shop at Urban Soles, it is not because of their prices. They do not sell what I want. And therin lies the rub. The small stores sell what the big boxes will not. There is no danger whatsoever...despite your sniffing to the contrary...of Walmart displacing a single Heights store. Every store you've mentioned carries food or product not carried by Walmart. The only stores impacted by Walmart will be Target, Kroger, HEB and Fiesta, those that sell the everyday mundane plastic crap and staples that are sold at big stores for low prices. Any person of even ordinary intelligence knows that you shop at Walmart when service and quality are not a priority, when the plastic forks are the same everywhere, and only the price matters.

2-3 in 1/4 of the state. one being in my hometown. 1 decimating the economy of that town, the other being in a city with 5x the population of said town. i said that the non-walmart communities continue to thrive.

but your next comment proves to me that you just want to argue with me and you do not truly read what i say because I said not once but TWICE in this thread/the "yale" thread that I do not believe a Walmart will hurt local Heights businesses and I said why. After that, I mentioned the different reasons that I dislike Walmart as a company and most of those reasons have to do with the fact that their policies keep the poor poor. I believe in helping the poor get out of poverty and Walmart is on the other side of that issue for me. I think they are a problem, not a solution.

There are affordable groceries in and around the Heights- Fiesta for example. And there is a Walmart 10-15 minutes away already.

So you're telling him that your values are better; he needs to move. Do you have any idea how condescending that sounds? What if I told you, "Yankee go home!". You'd be pissed.

Let's have some civility, please.

No, I'm not telling him anything. I was being sarcastic. I guess next time I'll remember to add this ---->

Plus, Red would hate the burbs. Many have way more deed restrictions than the Heights will ever have.

Or, I could stay right where I'm at and fight your attempts to turn my neighborhood into Western MA.

Actually, I moved to the Heights b/c it reminded me a lot of Western MA at the time but it is getting less and less like it daily. And we have no deed restrictions or Historic preservation where I am from. I am willing to bet most people don't even know what the term "deed restrictions" means in my town. Ha! Yet, there are a lot of historic homes still standing, mostly because people just like them and see value in them.

Now, down in the city that is another story... but what they have in Boston is different from what we have in Western MA or in Houston. I think most ppl can agree with that to some degree.