A new Super Walmart will be open in 2012 in Shenandoah, Iowa. Many speculate the effect of this expansion on existing grocery businesses in this small community of just over 5,000. It is exciting with all the new development of what was before just empty grass and crop land. In well under a year Walmart has built a Super Walmart and the paved drive that goes with it, expanded the parking of the BPOE #1122 (The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks - Lodge #1122) and also expanded the parking of O'Reilly Auto Parts. Before, the old Walmart was located on the Fremont County side of Highway 59 and now the Super Walmart is nestled on the Page County side in a conveniently located spot in Shenandoah.
GRAND OPENING OF THE
SHENANDOAH SUPER WALMART
WAS WEDNESDAY, JULY 18 AT 8AM.
Everyone now waits to see the popularity of this new Walmart and its effect on the local economy. Furthermore, given the track record of Walmart Superstores and their effects on existing longtime businesses it is obviously a concerning subject particularly for grocery stores in Shenandoah. There are two grocery stores in Shenandoah that have been here for many years prior to the Walmart Supercenter. These are Hy-Vee Food Store #1619 and also Fareway Store. Many speculate if the survival of these stores depend on whether a community of 5,000 can support the prosperity of three grocery stores. There is a defined record of business loss and closure in many cities when a Walmart Superstore opens up. This is not intended to degrade and place a "black eye" on Walmart but it does cause anxiety among Shenandoah residents how this all will pan out.
We can all survive! I know it! The retail industry has never been so versatile in reaching their customer base. With the advent of the Internet and digital media we are able to bring the choices and even payment options right to a customer's couch. Instead of accepting defeat in the eyes of something as big as Walmart perhaps it just takes good 'ole fashioned creative American competition. Facebook pages will be extensively used. Shenandoah Hy-Vee already has been offering continuous update posts for years now. Fareway has their place as well. And so the battle begins...
For the Shenandoah community as a whole this expansion is a "win/win" for the continued growth of the city. With this Walmart expansion and the explosion of the BioProcess Algae industry this area is ripe to grow and develop. BioProcess Algae is built on a 5-acre piece of land owned by Green Plains Renewable Energy. Prime real estate and businesses are necessary to encourage relocation here of other businesses and start-up companies. For example the German KD-Pharma company that is newly contracted with BioProcess for algal nutraceutical oils. Will this be the start of an avalanche of future opportunities investing in Shenandoah?
In other words, I really don't think Walmart will have a lasting negative effect on the local grocery market of Shenandoah, Iowa. If the Shenandoah government and local industries play their cards right this area can grow very rapidly. If this should happen then the population is sure to grow thus providing the necessity of three or more grocery stores. Not bad for an extremely rural corner of Iowa! So in this light I say "Welcome Walmart Supercenter!"
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