LISSA’S: Wal Mart: the next K-Mart? Yes, I think so!

St. Martinville, Wal-Mart Shutting Down
Posted: Dec 6, 2007

"People from around here are gonna have to go further - spend more on gas," says Donnel Albert. Brandie Perrodin says, "I think it's good because they don't have much of a selection at this store." No matter what shoppers think, losing this store will be a big blow to St. Martinville, Lousiana. The store generates almost 20% of the city's sales tax revenue - that's about $300,000 a year.

"We'll just have to do what we've been doing for a year and a half - tighten our belts - we'll just have to tighten tighter," says mayor Thomas Nelson. Nelson says the loss of Wal-Mart's sales tax revenue won't affect city services - but he will have to watch the budget more closely. Thursday - Wal-Mart's corporate office told Nelson this store is definitely closing. They claim the store is not making enough money.

The mayor's hoping new businesses will fill the void left by Wal-Mart He wants to see at least one chain drug store - and a few local stores to fill up downtown store fronts. "I'm not saying anything harsh about Wal-Mart, we're negotiating - and there's a lot of good prospects. Hopefully we can get some relief," says Nelson.

A Wal-Mart spokesman says in the past they've donated old stores to local governments and churches - but there are no definite plans for St. Martinville. The only sure bet is that St. Martinville shoppers will have to head to the new Wal-Mart in Breaux Bridge or the new store under construction on Highway 90 in Broussard.

Louis David