North Siders not smiling on plan for Wal-Mart

They may be clamoring for Wal-Marts on the South Side, but on the North Side on Monday night, the “smiley faces” were few and far between during a meeting to discuss a proposed store in Lake View.

About 250 people filled Lake View’s Wellington Avenue Church, many of whom don’t want the retailer setting up shop in their neighborhood.

The plan calls for a 31,000-square-foot “Wal-Mart Market” at 2840 N. Broadway, occupying the space vacated by a PetSmart store. The store — the first Wal-Mart on the North Side — would sell groceries, pharmaceuticals and a “limited assortment of general merchandise,” said Steve Restivo, a Wal-Mart spokesman. Restivo said a lease has not yet been signed.

“Lake View is not a food desert,” said Jill Zenoff, 28, of Lake View. “The [food] market is already saturated here.”

via North Siders not smiling on plan for Wal-Mart – Chicago Sun-Times.