Walmart

An attorney for a local commercial and food workers union is now representing two Burbank residents who oppose plans for a new Walmart. He is threatening legal action if the city doesn't address their concerns. The addition of Gideon Kracov, who represents United Food and Commercial Workers Union, Local 770, into the fray brings some legal muscle to a table crowded by residents who don't want a Walmart in the city, and city officials who say there's little they can do under zoning law to prevent it. Last week, Kracov went before Council asking that several of his questions about the project be addressed as an agenda item.

Opponents of a planned Walmart in Burbank may get some political ammunition if Gov. Jerry Brown signs a bill that would require mega-retailers to submit studies gauging the impact of their stores on everything from traffic to local commerce. The controversial bill on Gov. Jerry Brown's desk, SB 469, would require any store larger than 90,000 square feet that sells consumer goods and devotes more than 10% of its floor area to food and prescription drugs sales to pay for an economic impact report.

If you think the traffic is bad now on Burbank Boulevard turning onto North Victory Place or crossing over Burbank to get to the Empire Center, just wait until there is a Walmart. But wait, the Burbank Boulevard bridge over the Interstate 5 will be closed for who knows how long. Then try to get to the Empire Center from the south. Count me out. Putting a Walmart in the Empire Center is bad news for everyone except, of course, Walmart. Have you ever been to the store in Panorama City?

Did people complain 70 years ago that they had too many aircraft plants in Burbank? Are people complaining now that we have too many movie and TV studios in Burbank, too many hospitals, too many Costcos? Walmart will not harm any efficient-running business (“Walmart's good, bad effects,” July 23). Maybe if you don't need a year's supply of tortilla chips from Costco, you get a small bag at Walmart. Costco has maybe two or three different shirt styles. Walmart has 15. Costco has no dress or hiking shoes or work boots, Walmart does.

About 30 people demonstrated Tuesday night on the steps of Burbank City Hall, calling on city officials to explore every avenue possible to stymie a Walmart near the Empire Center. The demonstration was the most visible show yet of opposition against the planned Walmart at the former Great Indoors since the now-vacant site was purchased by the world's largest retailer in June. Walmart spokesman Steven Restivo said last week that he expects the company to use all of the 120,000-square-foot building, adding that “we want to come into Burbank the right way.” For many of the residents protesting Tuesday outside City Hall, the announcement last week confirmed their worst fears since news of Walmart's purchase of the 12-acre site became public.

KCET's weekly program, SoCal Connected , will look at Walmart's plans to set up shop in Burbank during Friday night's episode. The episode will feature residents who are opposed to the mega-store and city officials who support the company for its job creation and low-cost groceries. It is scheduled to air at 8:30 p.m. The Burbank Leader reported that Walmart plans to host a public meeting on Oct. 17 at the site they plan to build the store - the former Great Indoors site near the Empire Center.

Karen S. Kim TRANSPORTATION CENTER -- City officials have rejected a proposal by Wal-Mart and Sam's Club to develop a vacant property at 777 N. Front St., instead hoping to save the spot for an automotive dealership. "The city's vision for that site for a number of years now has been automotive," City Manager Bud Ovrom said. "The site is zoned for automotive use, it's in the general plan of the city for automotive use, and it's in the redevelopment plan for automotive use. The City Council did not see any reason to go away from that."

Public reaction to news that Walmart may move into what is now the Great Indoors store next to the Empire Center has been swift and blistering, but Burbank officials say they have little to no control over the potential move. Walmart has yet to announce plans for the site, which will be vacant next month after the Great Indoors closes, but already there's been a swell of opposition on social media websites. A “No Wal Mart in Burbank” page was created this week on Facebook, where commentators didn't hold back their disdain for adding another mega-retailer at the center.

It's not enough to be a clothing store, grocer, pharmacy, auto servicer and more. It looks as if Wal-Mart Stores Inc. now plans to play doctor too. The largest retailer in the country recently sent out a request for information to potential partners to help it offer a range of medical services without the traditionally steep prices. In the 14-page document, Wal-Mart said that it “intends to build a national, integrated, low-cost primary care healthcare platform that will provide preventative and chronic care services … in an affordable and accessible way.” Continue reading > > ALSO: Foes of Burbank Walmart undaunted by Brown veto Walmart to ask Burbank resident what they want from store -- Tiffany Hsu, Los Angeles Times Photo: A woman leaves a Wal-Mart in Rosemead.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. 's low-cost strategy during the holidays both helped and hurt its performance in the fourth quarter: The world's largest retailer reported an almost 15 percent decline in profit, but its namesake U.S. business continued to draw in more shoppers. During the period, Wal-Mart guaranteed shoppers it would give them the lowest price on a given item, no matter when they bought it during the holiday season. That resulted in its first gain in customer counts in several years.