The news broke in my hometown today that our Walmart is closing at the end of the month. I admit, the news comes as sort of a shock to me.  I don’t know their business model, but I know they have one priority: to make a profit.  So I guess they were not making a profit in Winnsboro, or at least not enough of one.

It is extremely ironic, because just a few weeks ago, a friend and I were discussing the effects of Walmart on small towns like ours.  I have shopped there many times, and I like the convenience it offers.  However the question remains: in the long-term, is Walmart good for small towns?  I don’t think it is. When Walmart comes into a small town, what happens to local business? What happens to main street? In Winnsboro, main street has become a ghost town with the exception of a few local businesses like Price’s Drugstore.

While my heart goes out to those folks losing their jobs, deep down inside, I think this could be one of the best things to happen in a long time. With no big-box store to visit, I sincerely hope locals will step up and fill the gap and create new jobs for some of those now unemployed.  I am excited for all those local businesses who have just been getting by all these years. Now is their chance to shine.  But a warning to them: don’t price-gouge folks and don’t take unfair advantage of your neighbors. I am willing to pay a little more at a local business because I know the money stays here, but I am not willing to pay a lot more.  A final thought: money spent with locals, stays local.  Let’s bring business back to Winnsboro.

I am just a simple guy, but that’s the way I see it.  It’s time to go check the cows.

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