[Grovenet] Hanks and Wal-Mart

[Eric Canon]

I read the News Times this morning and Tom Evans
is quoted directly that Wal-Mart was the factor
that caused Hanks to become Grande Foods. His
assessment was that WinCo did hurt his business,
but not to the point of making a radical change.
With Wal-Mart, the whole landscape of our area
will change. He said WinCo does a spotty job with
the Latino population, and Wal-Mart does no job
for Latinos, so the niche is there and his store
will step in. I wish them well, and we will
continue to buy there.

As we talk about Jim's and alternatives to
Safeway and Wal-Mart (barring a miracle), local
shopping will be exclusively Safeway and Walmart
here in Forest Grove. Grande Foods and Fred Meyer
will be a bit of a drive, and WinCo more of a
drive, along with Jims. The prospect of Haagen's
or Albertson's, long rumored in these parts, must
surely be dead and buried at this point. And
wishing for New Seasons or Trader Joes might land
you in the mental ward. It ain't gonna happen now!