Despite years of futility as its efforts to establish a foothold in the five boroughs were consistently rebuffed, the world’s largest retailer is said to be eyeing locations in Ridgewood.
After a high-profile bid to open a Walmart store in Brooklyn last year failed, a number of vacant lots and buildings along the Brooklyn-Queens border are the subject of negotiations by the superstore, according to a post on the Commercial Observer business blog.
Despite widespread union and city council opposition to Walmart’s crusade, Maspeth resident Charlene Stubbs told the Queens Chronicle that the neighborhood could stand to benefit from a branch opening there.
“There are abandoned buildings and prostitutes over there and I’ll tell you, I’d rather see a Walmart open up in one of those buildings then see all of those ‘For sale’ and ‘For rent’ signs everywhere,” she said.
Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley disagreed, pointing out Walmart’s history of mistreating its workers and hurting local businesses.
Walmart has yet to confirm any interest in a Ridgewood location.
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