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Walmart
November 19, 2006 - 8:29am — Ficker
So what does everyone think about Walmart coming to Litchfield? Could it be good or bad? I think it will be good for the town it will add more jobs which is what we need with the closing of Innovex. And it common for Applebees or Culvers to come in a town that has a Walmart. What is everyones feelings on this topic. I am excited to hear what everyone thinks. Chad Ficker
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• Litchfield Independent Review
News, community information, and an online gathering place for residents of Litchfield, Minnesota.
• Hutchinson Leader
News, community information, and an online gathering place for residents of Hutchinson, Minnesota.
• Litchfield Community Guide
Community guide highlights important people, places and events in Litchfield, Minnesota.
• Guide to Hutchinson
Community guide highlights important people, places and events in Hutchinson, Minnesota.
It's hard to say. Walmart...
Back to page topIt's hard to say. Walmart gets so much bad press, I don't know what to think. As a consumer, I will be happy to have a choice other than 1) Pamida or 2) running to Hutchinson to get the household stuff I need. I just hope they pay and treat their workers fairly.
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"Our ancestors came to this country seeking freedom. We had it for a while. Then someone invented the cell phone."
Al Batt, humorist
I am all for it. I know many...
Back to page topI am all for it. I know many are opposed to this for their own reasons but I am looking forward to it because of the jobs they will be creating for those of us who are out looking for work.
Much Needed. it's sad to say...
Back to page topMuch Needed. it's sad to say but wal-mart is where I do pretty much all of my shopping. It is definatley a one stop shop, and it is something litchfield has needed for years. Atleast I know I can go get a pack of socks, a gallon of milk, and print some digital photos at 10pm whenever I am back home
I have worked in the grocery...
Back to page topI have worked in the grocery industry for many years and I think Wal Mart will offer Litchfield a breathe of fresh air. I am excited to have a place I can go to and buy something without spending an extra 10-30%. As far as whats going to happen to Litchfield and other businesses is hard to determine. I am looking forward to August to see the Grand Opening. Litchfield has never had a price competitive market. Competition is a great thing for the consumer!
I'm all for it. I get tired...
Back to page topI'm all for it. I get tired of driving to Hutchinson to Walmart. It will be good for our community and bring in business from all around.
Wal-Mart will be good for...
Back to page topWal-Mart will be good for Litchfield. Look how Wal Mart helped downtown businesses in Hutchinson. Jim..
Ok walmart will be great for...
Back to page topOk walmart will be great for this town yes i agree. But here is somthing you may or may not know. Our new wonderful super walmart is going to be one of the only ones NOT 24 hour. Yes its right Not going to be a 24 hour walmart. Why I have no idea. Apparently somone is a bit affraid of competition. Ask your city leaders why they were the ones to make it so. I truely would like a 24 hour walmart. What is the point of having one here then you still will be losing some night time business to other towns. Isnt the idea to bring business here? I do like going to shop after late night its much easier less crowded easier to get to what you want and much more relaxed shopping. I would like to get some info on this from people i would be interested in starting a petition to see if we can bring any change to this. We just need to get some development in this town and if it needs to we need to do some voting changes to get some development to improve this town. I love this town. I have family that has been in this town for many many years and is well known. I always liked this town and thats why i made it my permanent home. Now its time to make it a better place to live and grow.
Contact me if interested in a petition at jesus5528@yahoo.com and lets do some changes. Lets make a great town even greater.
Hutchmike, I'm not sure...
Back to page topHutchmike, I'm not sure where you heard that the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Litchfield will not be open 24 hours, but you may have gotten bad information. I spoke with Wal-Mart spokeswoman Julie Idelkope this morning and she said that the only time that Supercenters are not open 24 hours is if there is a city ordinance prohibiting it. She said she would do some more checking to verify the Litchfield store will be open 24 hours. I spoke to Litchfield City Administrator Bruce Miller later in the day and he told me he did not think Litchfield had an ordinance regulating retail store hours. He also said he would do more checking and let me know if this was incorrect. As soon as I hear back from these sources, I'll post their answers for you.
I did investigate a lil...
Back to page topI did investigate a lil more. I did get my info correct or at least part of it. Its directly from the managers and assistant managers for the new store. Hours are 6 am to 11 pm every day. Its even posted on the board at the hiring center. Im not ashamed to say yes i am going to be a walmart employee. And i did find this out today for sure. Although it seems yes its not a city ordinance but somewhere and it was unclear of where the decision came from but it was somewhere up above that decided its not a 24 hour store. So as i said before i am still willing to post up some sorta petition to give to apparently the store to get it to become 24 hours. I Dont know why a super center would not chose to be 24 hours but i guess somone saw a reason be it right or wrong but its now our turn to show them what we want. Walmart is for the cusotmer customer is the boss so why not do what boss' do and tell them what we want them to do.
Thanks for the update. I...
Back to page topThanks for the update. I will continue to check as well. It is surprising they would choose not to be open 24 hours just in Litchfield. If I find out anything more, I will post it here. Thanks again for bringing attention to this.
Why don't you ask them the...
Back to page topWhy don't you ask them the real reason they are not open 24 hours.They were giving an 1.75 over night for insentave and hardly anyone took it. Not everyone wants to work over nights. Also They had a huge group of employees from Litchfield who applied there 2-3 months ago with the promise to transfer to Litchfield, the 6 month waiting period being waived. Guess what? It was not waived. They lied. They have had to deal with people quitting from this town.
If they want the over night business, they should of waived the 6 month waiting period because I believe they had a few over night people from Litchfield according to my brother who works there but lives in Litchfield.It sounds like another lie from a store that has already told lies.
Citizen The City of...
Back to page topCitizen
The City of Litchfield did not place ANY RESTRICTION on hours of operation. Wal-Mart choose to not be open 24 hours. Wal-Mart makes their decisions based on the botttom line. Their research either indicated they would not make a profit on overnight hours or it indicated that at start up it was not feasible. And yes they have many employee problems, but they have over 2,000,000 employees. Just look at other employers in the area and ask how many of them have employee problems or lie to their employees. I can name a number that do the same. Let's give them a chance and if they are not good employeers we can prosecute, not shop there, not work there. Small towns do not have to be sheep and can control employeers better than in big cities.
I juat found out some new...
Back to page topI juat found out some new info from the store manager. I did find out from the store manager that it WAS city decision not to let them be 24 hours. Also i was told it was city decision NOT to have a gas station. I only report what i was told. So I still stick by my plans then of getting some sorta petition going to get some change done. This is the info i was told by the store not anywhere else and i would think what is said by the store and manager would be correct.
I think it should be open...
Back to page topI think it should be open 24/7 also. I like to go into walmart when it is late cause there is less of a crowd. I am also starting at walmart on july 9. I wonder why the city only wanted it open from 6am-11pm?? Sounds kind of fishy to me?? So is there going to be a new restraunt opening in litchfield?? I had heard from a gal who works at handistop east that she talked to one of the contractors and said that a Applebees was going to be opening up ever since i heard that i haven't heard anything else. We need some different restraunts it is getting so boring eating Burger King and Kings Wok. And now that McDonalds won't reopen till august the choices to go out to eat is kind of limited. I usually go out of town now to go to eat somewhere
It should be public...
Back to page topIt should be public information on who stopped Walmart from being open late. If I were to take a guess I would say it was the city council. This would be a great story for the Independent Review to research, as I think it is a story that effects most of us here in Litchfield. I know I would like to have access to items 24/7 at Walmart so I don't have to make late night trips to Hutchinson to get White Castle burgers...
It seems this town likes to clamp down on any activity at night. Examples of this are, shutting down the tenting grounds by Lions Park, shutting down East Ripley park, and allowing no people to be in public parks after ten. I tend to enjoy the cool summer nights, and would prefer not to be kicked out of the parks after 10...
That is so true. The city...
Back to page topThat is so true. The city council has always been that way as far as i can remember. I remember when Walmart tried to come her a long time ago and they shot that down really quick. They are so conseritive tight wads. Some one should most definity do a story. It seems like the city council is afraid to take risks what do u think. Me or u should call the independent review and have them do a story!! Let me know what u think
Chad Ficker
so when is walmart opening??...
Back to page topso when is walmart opening??
It is opening august 8 i am...
Back to page topIt is opening august 8 i am starting tomorrow we start doing the set up in the store with the shelves and all the merchandise
sounds like alot of work!! i...
Back to page topsounds like alot of work!! i thought it was opening this month for some reason, and Willmar's is set for Oct.?
I haven't heard anything...
Back to page topI haven't heard anything about willmars yet
I think the Independent...
Back to page topI think the Independent Review knows this would be a good story. It would also be a story that would create a bit of a controversy, and they tend to shy away from any controversy. Remember the, "mayor incident"? All the other local area papers ran the story front page, not to mention the Twin Cities TV stations running it also. There was hardly a mention of it in the Independent Review though...
OK about the 24 hour...
Back to page topOK about the 24 hour thing... i dont think the city has any say on whether or not a buisness can be open. they bought the land from the government and it is government owned. not litchfield owned. Wal-mart can do with it whatever and however. Besides, it would be pretty stupid to have S.A. open 24 hours but not Wal-Mart. but that is just my two cents
facts Walmart was never...
Back to page topfacts
Walmart was never turned down before. Someone has it all mixed up, that was an old old story about 1st 3M, 2nd K mart now Wal Mart. Just old runors with NO BASIS in fact. They did not buy the land from the government they bought it from Mt. Johnson. It was part of his farm, in fact all the land in the Eastern development was his farm. Again the City Council never set hours of operation. They never asked for a gas station either. Anyone who says the management of Wal Mart said so has not spoken to the manager. I start there tonight. The city only sets hours of operation for bars, or other adult businesses. As far as the Independant Review covering a "story" the editor sat through all the meetings with the council and Wal Mart so he already knows the "story" and found it not worth running as it would not sell papers. Pretty boring stuff. They ask to develop the land, they ask for the zoning to change to business, they pay for all developments, they ask for a right to cash checks. Period. Nothing more was asked. They have not been given final right to cash checks, that is still in the public hearing phase. Any city council person can be calle dand they will tell you the truth on what the council did or did not do. You can also look it up online at the city web site and review council minutes. FACTS FOLKS JUST THE FACTS NO RUMORS.
I am also starting there i...
Back to page topI am also starting there i work 2-11 doing instock. After it opens up of course. So i guess i will see there this afternoon
I tell you what. If you...
Back to page topI tell you what. If you still disagree with what i was told ask there when you work. Ask Beth she is the store manager. That is what was told from her. Is that it was city that made the decision. I am sorry just the facts as i was told. And due to some attitudes from managers i am no longer working there. I will be calling corperate so i can see if they tell me why there not gonna be 24 hours. I dont know whatever the reason but the store also is smaller not by alot but just a little bit smaller than hutch store. Just a lil fyi there.
I have close to grown up in this town spent alot of time here with grandparents spending time in my grandfathers business and always saw how at 10 pm the ol whistle would blow and the streets were all rolled up and doors locked tight. Whats wrong with spending a late night at a park sitting there as long as your not causing problems? Sounds more to me like a police that dont want to have to work and want controls just to make things easier for them.
Citizen Directly from...
Back to page topCitizen
Directly from management it was a Reginal Manager decision that Litchfield does not have enough night shoppers to pay for stafing the store 24 hours. Just ask SA how many people they get at night. Not all stores are 24 hour. Many small town stores are not. As for the size there are many different size WalMart super centers. Based on population (Hutch versus Litch) or compition they may be different. There are some larger than Hutch some smaller than Litch. All Super Center means is they have more than just the department store stuff. Now as far as working for them they were fair to me. I did leave Friday because I now have a full time job. I saw no employee disrespect, no violation of work laws, they were friendly, courtious, concerned, and never barked at anyone. Sorry you had a less than good experience.
Well according to several of...
Back to page topWell according to several of my wife's friends who work here at the new wal mart, they are having problems. People leaving, schedules not observed.
The produce leaves something to be desired. My wife went to buy some green grapes last monday and picked up a bag and found it infested with fruit flies. the other fruit appeared bruised. The meat department seems ot be having a problem keeping their fresh meat in stock or anything else. We have asked for help and been ignored. Been told it were the people from " Wilmar" who were the rude ones. I have gone to the deli to buy salads and been blown off as were others. And now, it appears hours are being scaled back. They only seem to have at best three check out people???Even in their busy time.Where is management?We only seem to see co manager Arron making the rounds and working, where is beth and where are the other managers? Why is this younge man the only one we ever see there? This store fought hard to be here, but it appears Litchfield has made their choice. Pamida and Econo for quality and paying a little more over lousy product, low stocked itemns and poor customer service.If they do not do something about the other managers who do not seem to be there and the associates who appear to be working every weekend and are mad over it, this store will become an empty building. Perhaps the city counsel should of hoped for Target. After all, Target is better.
Walmart rocks! I am so glad...
Back to page topWalmart rocks! I am so glad that we have a place to shop and aren't taken advantage of. For years this community has had to deal with overpricing etc and I am thankful we have a business that is requiring equal opportunity. I still shop the local downtown businesses as most of them are specialty shops and offer what Walmart cannot. I hope the rest of the community still continues to support them as well.
Does anyone care to price...
Back to page topDoes anyone care to price check Walmart's from here to Hutch to Willmar?? I will bet doughnuts to dollars either town will be cheaper then Litch.
You name the product. But I can almost guarantee Litch won't come in close price range..
So why is that? They started out cheap, but ended up with higher prices and now we have to watch "EXPIRED DATES" on every thing we purchase!!!
Let's all knock Pamida.. Most often they don't have the sale item in stock or you have to check on the raincheck policy, (maybe they should work on that some more) but they have other crap to lure us in, (as does Walmart). They have what we need to survive from day to day.. Yea so does Walmart, but they need to come back to reality on prices.
I want to paint in my house, but Walmart can't match paint..... So I am back to "MY FAVVORITE" PARTNER'S HARDWARE. To get a paint match. Gee go figure, we can always count on the "regulars" to get us over the hump!"
There is a difference on...
Back to page topThere is a difference on things and that is because Walmart prices according to demand for the geological location. They aren't required to hold the same prices on every item. They will however match the price of any item you find in a competitors paper, but you have to bring in the paper/ad. I have purchased many products that are the same in price. There are items that we purchase on a regular basis -Toothpaste, TP, Papertowels, Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, milk, peanut butter, bread, coffee, and deli meats have always been the same here as they were when we drove to Hutchinson using $3.50 per gallon of premium. Pamida and Econo were never the same on items they carry and they are just yards from eachother.
Such is life. You can also buy a car from a dealership here in town and pay less for the exact same vehicle at a competitive dealership in St. Cloud. Franchised stores, more often than not, are set up to price according to demand for their area.
I dont have so much of an...
Back to page topI dont have so much of an issue with Wally Worlds prices as I do with the variety of stuff they stock, or rather the lack thereof. Litchfields walmart does not stock near the variety of items that the neighboring ones do.
For our produce and fresh meat, we still go to Econofoods..the quality is a lot better.
If I need nuts/bolts or other hardware, I still go to Hardware Hank, the quality is better and for the price, I dont care.
Produce and meat are two...
Back to page topProduce and meat are two things that I feel most of the Walmarts have had an issue with. We usually order our meat anyway so that isn't a big issue for us. Produce....here you need to be much more choosey and Econo has always has quality produce.
My husband will not buy meat...
Back to page topMy husband will not buy meat from wal mart. He just refuses too. we bought the meat from the hutchinson store many times and he complained it tasted too sweet. We buy the produce from time to time, but my husband bases it on how it looks ad smalls. He goes over the produce with a fine tooth comb.
our business still goes to hardware hank for the simple fact that we know them and their quality is much better plus they are much more knowledgeable. Now yes walmart has a hardware section and they have their associates, but can they give a recommendation on what to go with if your installing a new door, or show you what penny nails are or give you good sound advice on home fix it projects? No not always. if hardware hank does not have waht we want, I usually end up driving to menards. this is nothing personal with the store. I still shop there and will still do so, but I will also do so at econo and other stores.
Citizen We should not BASH...
Back to page topCitizen
We should not BASH any business or employer in Litchfield. We need them all. So I would appreciate it if everyone would just be positive and support all intown businesses. If we lost every business that anyone had an issue with there would be no business or jobs for people to go to. Think about that for awhile. No grocery store, no gas station, no clinic, no fast food, no newspaper, no police, no snow plowing, no electricity, no water , no sewer, in short no town. kinda scary to me.
If a store is going to learn...
Back to page topIf a store is going to learn to be a better business they need to learn from their customers.It is not bashing a business it is telling them they need to step up to the palte and be better and stop with their old stuff.
Wal mart needs to make some seriouse adjustments. They need better insurance, better pay, more respect for their associates and managers who dont gripe about working the weekends. They need to follow the same rules that apply to their employees.
They need to keep better tracking of their product and their super center area as well. If they want the full support they need to show it by being courtiouse to their customers more. There is only a small handful of them at the litchfield store. they need more.
I think the Walmart here...
Back to page topI think the Walmart here needs some credit for trying to make this town better, I'm sure it is keeping a few Litch residents off the streets. However, as a small town, there has way to much criticzm, some deserved and some not. The saying holds true, you can't please everyone. Howver, with that being said, I think Walmart has alot lacking. The quantity and lack of product is one and quality is another. I know I prefer saving money, and I'm sick of going to Econo and paying triple the price. I do like Save a lot and will continue to shop there for alot of things over Walmart. I used to work for a Walmart and have nothing but bad things to say about them- they DID treat their employees like crap. I have a relative working here in Litchfield who says she couldn't love it more, she says they appreciate her hard work around the store- but I won't criticize one way or another because I don't work there. I say we give them a fighting chance. If you want to sit there and say things about them, I hope you are saying first hand as an employee, not just what you have heard, word of mouth can't always be trusted. Nothing in this world is perfect, and retail will always be retail, the hours will always suck. There aren't many jobs in this world left that are m-f. So, just my 2 cents, take it for what it's worth.