Second Walmart coming to Guelph amid little opposition

The former Target location on Stone Road in Guelph, soon to house a Walmart, is pictured on Friday, Sept. 4, 2015.

It wasn’t that long ago that a group of Guelph residents waged a decade-long battle to keep retail giant Walmart out of their city.

Although their efforts attracted attention from across North America, it ultimately failed. The city’s first Walmart opened in 2006.

Nearly a decade later, the company is set to add a second location – and this time, there’s no opposition to speak of.

Even James Gordon, a city councillor who played a big role in the anti-Walmart fight, says he’s resigned to the Arkansas-based retailer taking over the former Target location on Stone Road.

“It’s going to be here, (but) do you need to shop here? That’s going to be the message,” he said Friday.

Asked why he’s not a fan of Walmart, Gordon rattles off a laundry list of objections including its environmental record, employee relations, and lack of locally produced goods.

But where he sees the biggest danger is in the so-called ‘Walmart effect’ – the idea that the shopping behemoth’s arrival spells eventual doom for smaller, local retailers.

“A lot of the local businesses will close because they can’t compete,” he said.

“I’m very concerned that the short-term gain in the cheaper goods will be offset by a real long-term cost to the well-being of this community.”

The Target store has been sitting empty since April, when that American retail giant ended its Canadian operations.

In Guelph, which was one of the first Canadian cities to see a Target store, that meant 150 people out of work.

While a debate was had over what would become of the site – Gordon would have preferred a new rec centre for south-end residents – continued retail use ultimately won out.

Shoppers at Guelph’s first Walmart approached by CTV News said they might not use the new store themselves, but could see it benefitting the city overall.

“I think there’s a need for it at the south end. I think (people who live there) would appreciate the same opportunity,” said Irene Clarke.

“There will be more employment for people … and an empty building is going to be filled again,” said Sheila Pegelo.

Walmart is spending $350 million to acquire 13 former Target locations across Canada.

Details regarding when Guelph’s new store will open and how many people it will employ are still being worked out, a company spokesperson told CTV News.