White Plains CitizeNetReporter - Wal-mart Coming to White Plains -- To Take 2 Floors of former Sears Store.

WPCNR Main Street Journal. November 3, 2004, Updated 6:00 A. M. E.S.T.: WPCNR has learned that Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer will take two floors of the former Sears property next to City Hall, and across the street from City Center. The Journal-News is confirming this report in a press report this morning. Walmart is expected to set up a grocery and retail operation, leasing the space from Ivy Equities.

When Ivy Equities first leased the property they called it "The Shoppes on Main," and promised a series of boutique upscale retail establishments in what was described as a mini-mall arrangement. Walmart is the first tenant to be signed. The possibility of Walmart being among the final five parties interested in the property was first reported by WPCNR September 17.

THE WAL-MART WATCH: Target's archrival has taken space (2 82,000 sq. foot floors) in the former Sears location across the street from City Center, home of Target. The rumors of Wal-Mart eyeballing the space first surfaced in August. Mayor Joseph Delfino went on record at the time as saying he preferred Wal-Mart, (an arch competitor of Target) not rent the space. Photo by WPCNR News.

In our September 17 story, WPCNR detailed that "The Shoppes on Main," the new stackmall as envisioned at that time by John A. Saraceno, Jr., Ivy Equities Chief Investment Officer, to be "one of the county's finest multi-tenant retail developments."

WPCNR's source working with Ivy Equities said in September that finding tenants had taken longer than expected. When ground was broken symbolically last October, Stauback Retail Services expected tenant signings by the end of 2003, with tenants in by Spring, 2004.

Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market Planned for Opening Fall 2005.

Checking the Wal-Mart website, www.walmartstores.com , WPCNR notes that Wal-Mart plans to open 50 to 55 new discount stores and 220 to 230 new Supercenters in fiscal 04-05. They have introduced a new concept called Neighborhood Market, and their plan is to open 25 to 30 of those.

A " Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market," though appears to be just the right fit for one of the 82,000 square foot floors in "The Shoppes on Main Street," and pending confirmation by Wal-Mart would appear to the direction Wal-Mart is heading according to a Journal-News report Thursday morning.

There is no immediate food market within walking distance of the North Tower apartments and planned Trump condominiums in the South Tower of City Center. A custom Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market will fill that need.

The Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market is described on the Wal-Mart website as 42,000 to 55,000 square feet, and features fresh produce, deli foods, fresh meat and dairy items, health and beauty aids, one-hour photo and traditional photo developing services, drive-through pharmacies, stationary and paper goods, pet supplies and household chemicals.

The Journal-News confirmed what WPCNR had learned Thursday, reporting Thursday morning that a grocery outlet will be part of the Wal-Mart operation and will open in fall 2005

A Sophisticated Wal-Mart?

Andrea Rader, a spokesperson for Wal-Mart, contacted by WPCNR Wednesday, was asked if the Shoppes on Main Wal-Mart would be a sophisticated chi-chi Wal-Mart, to fit in with Donald Trump's 2-1/2 Million condominiums across the street at City Center.

Ms. Rhea said she was unable to get in touch with the public relations person who would know of further details on any Wal-Mart operation planned in White Plains.

Wood: City's Hands Tied.

Paul Wood, the city Acting Executive Officer, quoted in this morning's Journal-News today, said Wal-Mart needed only to apply for a building permit to occupy the first two floors of the former Sears building.

Wood indicated no opposition by Mayor Jospeh Delfino in the press report this morning to the coming Wal-Mart presence, though the Mayor said he was opposed to Wal-Mart coming when the possibility of Wal-Mart was first raised.

The interior of the first floor has already been painted the traditional Wal-Mart blue as of early fall, as part of the preliminary Ivy Equities renovation of the retail space. Wal-Mart has been negotiating with Ivy Equities for about 8 weeks.

Wood told the Journal News reporters that the space is already zoned for retail, which would indicate the Common Council has no jurisdiction over whom Ivy Equities leases its space. He also told Journal-News reporters,that sales tax revenues from Target would indicate that Wal-Mart would add $800,000 a year to city sales tax collections.


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