Citing the high cost to clean up toxic chemicals from the site, Wal-Mart has pulled out of a proposed retail development in southern Staten Island. Neighborhood activists say that the proposal was scraped due to local opposition to the project.
Last year, a similar development was shelved in Rego Park, Queens. People are already speaking out against rumors of Wal-Mart in the Bronx. I wonder if Wal-Mart be able to open a store within New York City or if they will only be able to do that after they drastically alter their business model and design. The store design and experience found in the new White Plains store has been talked about. Wal-Mart is going to have to improve on this design and really learn how to work with the community before they will see a store in NYC.
I don’t think Wal-Mart will be able to get approval for a site within NYC within the next three years, at least. Come back to this site in 2009 to see if I am correct.