Sequim is a small rural town, and a major retirement area. As with many small towns in America, we keep having a discussion on the pros and cons of the BIG BOX STORES moving here. You know the arguments by now. “Small businesses can’t compete. We don’t want Walmart in our town.”
Well, Sequim has become the destination for most of the big box stores in just the last three years or so, and guess what? They are still coming and building, even now in this slow economy.
Of course Walmart built a big store, but let’s be honest. Walmart provides a great service with a larger inventory than local stores could manage, and Walmart brings a lot of money into the community primarily through all the locals they employ.
We’ve had a Staples store for years, but Office Depot moved in recently. We’ll see how they do. Frankly, they don’t seem very busy. Hardly anyone every 
there, but these big box stores are typically prepared to suffer losing money for a few years before the demographics improve enough for them to survive. That’s largely what all this is about for these big box stores–building in an area with great projects for future demographics, and Sequim has the demographics.
And Costco, which has been here for about a decade now, is very popular for the bulk values they give all the locals. If locals didn’t like Costco for moving into town, why is the stor
e packed seven days a week? We love this store.
Home Depot is a great store, and well managed, but it also employs a lot of locals, and all of this brings more money into the community. And don’t think the city of Sequim isn’t absolutely ecstatic about these big box stores buying commercial property here and bringing their construction and businesses here. This amounts to a lot of local tax dollars, which also benefits all of us who live here.
Pet Depot is a hot store here, because we have so many pet owners here, and this store has got to be one of the best managed and organized Pet Depots in the entire chain. Their fish department is the best I’ve ever seen for the organization and symmetry of the fish tank displays.
Of course, Sequim has a Starbucks! In this state, I don’t think you are officially a city if you don’t have a Starbucks. The Sequim store is apparently doing great. They sure are busy all the time. Unfortunately, Starbucks opened a store in Port Angeles a little over a year ago, and they recently had to close. Not enough business. That’s interesting, because the official population of Sequim is only 4,000, and Port Angeles claims 25,000.
Under construction right now are two more big box stores, Discount Tires and Schuck’s Auto Parts. W
hat do these big franchises know about Sequim? They have spent fortunes on demographic studies to pinpoint the best and most promising places to build. That’s Sequim.
Courtesy of SequimRealEstateNews.com.
Last Updated on January 1, 2009 by Chuck Marunde
Your topic on Shopping and Big Box Stores in Sequim was interesting. It’s true that this is a common issue in rural towns like Sequim. Hey without growth, what would any of us do? Except for the retired folks who have a pension. But even then, how would they ever sell their homes if there was no local healthy economy.
Personally we’re glad that Sequim has permitted the construction of the Big Box Stores. If it wasn’t for you we would have to take all our Port Townsend money to Poulsbo or Silverdale. Jefferson County has no major shopping available.
Bix box stores have pros and cons as you mentioned. The moms and pops stores suffer significantly although under typical conditions the consumer benefits. Also big box stores bring big box ‘McMansions’ and the business to the city as well. It’s just a natural progression of most American cities in this day and age.
Hey!, I found your blog while searching the net for commercial property foreclosure law and your post on m Shopping and Big Box Stores looks right on!
Wow, how much time has changed, gotta love Costco tho, I love their samples! They normally sample pretty good food too…
nice post… very much informative
Your article is very interesting. Actually the existence of those big box store has advantages and disadvantages. As we all know large companies can give additional employment to those who are unemployed, not mentioning the great products they can also offer but the disadvantage will fall to those small businesses that cannot fairly compete with the big guys. Thanks for sharing this very informative post.
It is always nice to have the big box stores around if you don’t own your own shop. You’re able to find a better variety and lower prices. That’s why i love Costco!