Wal-Mart Backs Out Of Queens

A prospective Wal-Mart in Rego Park has turned into nothing more than a pipedream, as negotiations between the retail giant and Vornado Realty Trust have been called off.
Many residents and merchants are celebrating the announcement, as news of the proposed Wal-Mart had been met with months of protests and outrage following reports of gross underpayment of employees and other unfair labor practices.
And in the face of an already-saturated retail market, many mom-and-pop establishments, as well as the so-called “big box” stores in the area, are grateful that Wal-Mart is a no-go.
“It could have potentially been competition for us,” said Charaya Barnette, an employee at the Sears store off Junction and Queens Boulevards. “I’m happy that they’re not coming.”
Plans for the 135,000-square-foot Wal-Mart had called for the conglomerate to build at the intersection of Junction Boulevard and 62nd Drive by 2008.
One local vendor, who wished to remain unidentified, said, “I think they should not come because the area’s ‘competition territory’ is exhausted. If they try to swallow up the competition as they have in other states, in 5 to 10 years, they will have caused a tremendous amount of problems.”
“Small business owners and working families in Queens breathed a sigh of relief [this week],” said Congressman Anthony Weiner. “Wal-Mart is a bad neighbor for the neighborhood shopkeeper and a bad employer for workers, both here and abroad. Usually Wal-Mart comes in and takes over the community, but this time they met an opponent they couldn’t beat – a unified Rego Park.”
Those in favor of the store argued that Wal-Mart would create hundreds of jobs for area residents.
In response to the cessation of negotiations, Mia T. Masten, Director of Corporate Affairs for Wal-Mart, told The Queens Courier, “Wal-Mart is interested in opening stores in New York City and we continue to explore locations throughout the five boroughs. We will not comment on any specific sites until an agreement is reached.”
Vornado officials declined to comment, but Councilwoman Helen Sears, who represents the district, said, “I am hopeful that if Wal-Mart attempts to locate another site, whether in Queens or Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan or Staten Island, that its officials will work tirelessly to improve workplace benefits and conditions so that New York City will welcome it with open arms. Until then, we can only offer our backs.”
toni@queenscourier.com