Walmart is amazing for saving money, I love it but I can understand how the stores in the neighborhood would feel. They seriously cannot compete against this giant.

"Scrappy" Walmart? I think that's an oxymoron. But then again, I'm not a "journalist."

Cost of living wages. Wal mart would either disappear into the night or be pulling their weight.

We pay for cost of living wages anyway. Better it go to an employees check than a foodstamp allotment.

Chris (author): I find your snarkiness toward a group of mostly low-income residents of East New York and low-wage retail workers who showed up to this action with the intent to express themselves in a positive and fun manner to impact issues that affect the communities they live in "cringe-inducing."

hello wal-mart rep! how's the weather in Bentonville?

This is Austin. I don't work for Walmart. I work with organizations that organize low-income families in communities like East New York that are opposed to Walmart destroying their local economies. I don't really like the easy hipsterish way that the author of this post makes fun of them in his piece. I also don't think we danced all that badly, but that's just MHO. :)

my bad, i misunderstood your comment. thanks for protesting with enthusiasm and humor.

I love how they bitch about Mom & Pop shops closing because of a Walmart...but really, how common are mom and pop shops to begin with in NY?? In my neighborhood in Brooklyn there are none around. There are multiple chain pharmacies, a Key Food, a few chain discount stores...

And "low paying jobs" I know a few people who would love to have a steady paying job right now, even if it was only minimum wage. I wont shop at Walmart, but I'm not going to protest them.

None? I have a hard time believing that. Key Food, for instance, is Brooklyn-based. I don't love Key Food by any means, but at least the profits stay in the community.

I don't consider them a "mom & pop" type of place. But maybe it is.

I know what you mean. I don't really think of Key Food as your typical "mom and pop" place either. But they ARE a local business.

But really, don't you have bodegas in your 'hood? Hardware stores? Little boutiques? Maybe my part of Astoria is an anomaly, but there are lots of family owned businesses here.

As far as things that WalMart carries:
Bodegas: yes, hardware/auto store: not really, clothing stores: various russian fur stores, discount chains, and a few low end clothing chains.

Various russian fur stores? I am intrigued.

Brighton Beach FTW

They make strawberry whoppers??? How was I not aware of this?!

I didn't know they made strawberry whoppers

WalMart is terrible for "one stop shopping", so I won't be there. I can buy everything I need for a fair price at the Associated near my house and pick up everything else (furniture, clothing, cleaning supplies, small appliances, etc.) at Target. I wouldn't dare buy clothing or home furnishings at WalMart.

wal-mart is super fab -- for those who are bad at economics.

i find it ironic that most of the idiots who are afraid of the big bad walmart are the types most likely to shop at one (see: peopleofwalmart.com)

target is everywhere. so are costcos and BJs. i don't care for walmart, but when a rare deal that pops up that makes me want to go, I have to drive to friggin' Westbury in Nassau.

All that "nitpicking" will stop when you leave a bag full of cash for Charles Barron.