:: Soapbox ::

A weekly rant about Stockton, the Valley, and the world at large. Please do not read while operating heavy machinery.

Super Should Go Down The Pooper
10/24/04

The positive and negative aspects of Super Wal-Mart on San Joaquin business have been debated quite a bit lately. The naysayers say the sales behemoth and others like it unfairly obliterate the competition and provide low income positions while the corporate wags at Wal-Mart counter they've created 900 much needed jobs. Wal-Mart has won a battle already by opening SWM in Stockton; the guns are still firing over a possible Lodi opening.

And just what is this hot button called Super Wal-Mart?

Well it's the most sadomasochistic excuse for getting cheap crap I've ever experienced. Judging by the overwhelming attendance since opening last week in Stockton, it also happens to be about the biggest cultural event to hit the city since... well, probably the opening of the old Wal-Mart. Now that's a real Halloween fright.

Honestly, I haven't seen this many people on the move since I visited Disneyland. It's very similar to the happiest place on Earth, but without the happy part. The parking lot is a nightmare, the narrow aisles are overflowing with people who'd kill you for that last box of Fiddle Faddle, and the checkout lines are so long I was half expecting to see a sign stating "From this point you have 25 minutes to wait".

Yet, the people of Stockton have spoken and they love their Wal-Mart, but I'll gladly take the higher priced but less populated aisles of Target any old day. After finally escaping from SWM this Sunday, we were shocked to see our cashier had mistakenly sold us two DVDs - a Care Bears flick and something with Cheech called Juan In A Million. Back in we went and a half hour was added to the two we'd already wasted on this truly, evil place.

Ptooie!

Want to discuss this, and other topics, with fellow fans?
Post your thoughts in the SJ Fanboy Forum now!