By George Anderson
Wal-Mart is looking to open its first store inside the Chicago city's limits by 2005. The company announced it has filed an application to open a 150,000 square foot Wal-mart store on Chicago's West Side.
According to Reuters, "The proposed Chicago store would replace a vacant shampoo factory formerly owned by Unilever NV (UNc), and create 100 to 200 construction jobs and 250 store positions."
There are those who oppose Wal-Mart's entry into Chicago, saying it will hurt local businesses and cost area residents jobs.
Moderator's Comment: Is Wal-Mart good for local economies, as it contends, or is it bad, as its critics allege?
Emma Mitts, the councilwoman for the Chicago West Side district added a dose or reality to this particular debate. She told Reuters, "That's (loss of jobs) unlikely if we don't have jobs for them to take away." [George Anderson - Moderator]