Wal-Mart receives permit approval

PARKSLEY -- Accomack County's governing body Wednesday evening approved permits allowing a Wal-Mart Supercenter to be constructed, closing an issue that drew opposing resident arguments.

[Michael Shreves]

What a terrible decision to allow Wal-Mart to come to Accomack. You folks have signed a local merchant "Death Warrant". I firmly believe if any of the commissioners had researched the Wal Mart effect on small communities, they would have been appauled at the devistation this company brings in. I strongly believe you will be changing the economic landscape of Onancock, Parksley and Onley for the worse. Wal-Mart promises jobs and that is true. It will force one time business owners and community leaders to close up shop and these folks will have to bow down to Wal-Marts power and go to work for them. They will take a great cut in their annual salery and have less buying power in the community. It has been documented that Wal-Mart only increases job totals by 3-5 positions in the community they invade over a 5 year period. You folks have Screwed-Up letting these people in. If my father Melvin Shreves Jr. of Parksley, a business owner were alive, I'm sure he would say the same thing. Accomack will be set BACK 25 years by this move...!

[Joe Dierte]

Screw Accomack small business. They wouldn't give me a job, and Wal-mart did. I have an associates degree and completed several years at Virginia Tech. I am very intelligent and skilled. Unfortunately, I'm not related to everyone else around here, so no local redneck jerk wants to give me a job because I'm not his second cousin. I hope Wal-mart puts all the racist, sexist locals out of business.

[Dave Harris]

Wal-Mart will eventually fall to the devises of the local natives. Just like K-Mart did. No business can stay alive while it's customers continually rob it! WalMart has no idea what it's in for on the ESVA! By the way,didn't the shore folks beg K-Mart to stay here?

[Cheryl CarrWilson Mtnebo]

I am a native of Onancock, Now living In Va.Bch.
I believe Wal-mart will devastate the economy of the shore, while Joe Dierte is correct they do still have the the "good ole-boy" system alive and well on the shore, We need to work to improve the integrity of the shore, I have a BA in business and couldnt get hired on the shore, but I do love the charm and tranquility of the shore. Dave Harris is also correct ,
"Wal-Mart will eventually fall to the devises of the local natives" If you are not wanted on the SHHORE..there is nothing that can keep you there..Wal-mart is big business, but will it improve the quality of life of the locals..I think not!

[Kisha J]

I think too many people are worried about this. I believe it will be good. People need jobs and a place to shop. The stores here are too expensive and it costs too much to drive to Pocomoke. Fresh Pride has crazy prices. I can't wait until Wal Mart comes.

[Barney Fedele]

I hope people do not shop there. I hate all the Chinese junk they bring in to the US. Hope nobody shops there and I really hope they do not find enough people to work there, LEGALLY. Trash, blight, and congestion is all that comes.

[Patrick]

What about the people here who want the Walmart? We are tied to the legs of the small store owners and have to drive long distances to get what we want. And, anyway why should you care? You don't live here. Maybe you should mind your own business, or the business in your own community. I fail to understand why you should want to post such a negative comment regarding the construction of a new Walmart store hundreds of miles from where you reside. I live in this communtiy and I want the store.

Michael Shreves wrote:

What a terrible decision to allow Wal-Mart to come to Accomack. You folks have signed a local merchant "Death Warrant". I firmly believe if any of the commissioners had researched the Wal Mart effect on small communities, they would have been appauled at the devistation this company brings in. I strongly believe you will be changing the economic landscape of Onancock, Parksley and Onley for the worse. Wal-Mart promises jobs and that is true. It will force one time business owners and community leaders to close up shop and these folks will have to bow down to Wal-Marts power and go to work for them. They will take a great cut in their annual salery and have less buying power in the community. It has been documented that Wal-Mart only increases job totals by 3-5 positions in the community they invade over a 5 year period. You folks have Screwed-Up letting these people in. If my father Melvin Shreves Jr. of Parksley, a business owner were alive, I'm sure he would say the same thing. Accomack will be set BACK 25 years by this move...!

[Patrick]

Amen, I agree with your post 1000%. There time is over.

Joe Dierte wrote:

Screw Accomack small business. They wouldn't give me a job, and Wal-mart did. I have an associates degree and completed several years at Virginia Tech. I am very intelligent and skilled. Unfortunately, I'm not related to everyone else around here, so no local redneck jerk wants to give me a job because I'm not his second cousin. I hope Wal-mart puts all the racist, sexist locals out of business.

[Joy Weaver]

I am thrilled about Wal-Mart coming to the shore. I have a vacation home on Nassawadox creek and I love the idea of a wal-mart in Onancock. The shopping down there is terrible, causing me to shop in PA and drive it all down. Now with the Wal-mart opening, I can shop on my way down to my home.
I can't wait!!

[Mike Shreves]

Are you the son of Sonny Shreves?

[Richard Stephens]

I do not think WalMart will cut into the small business owners profit at all. I am from a small town of 40,000 which has 2 Walmart Super Centers and an ever growing number of small businesses. Since theSuper Centers opened shop the economy has been great there.

Besides, when someone wants something from WallyWorld they will go out of their way to get it and when someone wants something from a smaller store such as the Red Barn Meat store they will go out of their way to get it also.

As for the local natives stealing, I think with the extra tax money received by the county the Sheriffs department will be able to expand their reaches a little better. Maybe even enough to fill that nice new jail in Eastville. That would be the best part about it.

[Susan]

I for one can't wait for WalMart to come to the Eastern Shore. With the price of gas, I resent having to drive to Pocomoke to shop. I patronize local businesses and WalMart, and having a local store won't change my shopping patterns one bit.

[Susan]

It's easy to be critical of WalMart on the shore from the shopping comfort of Virginia Beach where you have a wealth of shopping diversity to choose from. We don't have that luxury.

[Laura]

I live very near the Walmart site - and I wish it were here already!! Especially with the price of gas we NEED them. I really do not think they will hurt most of the businesses around here. People who shop in Peebles will still shop there, same with Cato's and most of the other local stores. Rose's will probably suffer, and Family Dollar. Sunrise and Redwood Gables restaurants (and McDonald's, Wendy's, Hardee's...) will probably benefit from having them here. Same with local gas stations. As it is every time we go to Maryland for Walmart we eat, buy gas and spend our money there.

[laurie]

I think the Wal-mart coming to Onley is fabulous; people who do not live her do not know what it is like not to have the things you need. Like on a Sunday and you need some small item to fix something from the mom and pop stores they are NOT OPEN and you have to wait until Monday morning or drive to Maryland or VA Beach. Hurry up Wal-mart we need you! Not to mention the jobs cause as someone said if you are not some ones cousin or relative you will not get a thing. That's sad,Degree or not. We are not going to mention the back woods treatment you get if you are of the minority with or without a degree.

[Mackhenzie]

Come on Wal-mart!!!!! The people who are loyal to the small time stores will remain loyal. Maybe they are scared of a little competition because they know their prices are bogus as well. They know they can jack up the prices because they know customers would rather spend more money then to waste gas and giving our tax dollars to Maryland! Some of us are work our A$$ off to get what we can get and paying triple the amount at food lion, etc. isn't cutting it for me.

[Allison]

Joy, I agree with you. We have a house near Crystal Beach, Onancock, and are thrilled to have somewhere else to shop, besides Roses, which has just gone down hill in the 20 years, we've owned property. Having to bring a carload of items from PA everytime, is frustrating, and expensive on gas! Welcome Walmart!

Joy Weaver wrote:

I am thrilled about Wal-Mart coming to the shore. I have a vacation home on Nassawadox creek and I love the idea of a wal-mart in Onancock. The shopping down there is terrible, causing me to shop in PA and drive it all down. Now with the Wal-mart opening, I can shop on my way down to my home.
I can't wait!!

[marka]

Ok, so where is it and when is it really coming?

[megan]

how can you say that walmart will devestate anything . we've been waiting almost two years for this and its finally coming . walmart will be good for us teens that don't have anywhere to go to find a job or shop for clothes that isn't too high or to hard to work at. personally im looking forward to walmart.

[Tony Tony Tony]

I lived on the shore for about 3 months and I would drive to Maryland for the Wal-Mart up there. I needed a DVD player so I bought one at Roses, guess what? Broken. And then they gave me attitude when I took it back. Wal-Mart won't hurt as much as you think, and the quaint shops might see a revival from people protesting the wal-mart. Also, wal-mart tends to be open later which will help.