Collegiate Times

Last Friday the Virginia Supreme Court ruled in favor of the town of Blacksburg, enforcing an ordinance that would require a big-box anchor store in the First and Main development to apply for a special use permit.

Any store greater than 80,000 square feet must earn a special use permit prior to construction. The big-box store, at a planned 186,000 square feet, falls under this restriction.

Controversy surrounding the construction of the property, widely rumored to be a Wal-Mart, has been going on since May 2006.

It's time the town wises up and realizes that a big-box store can do much to invigorate its economy and keep the masses that are currently fleeing to Christiansburg -- where general, everyday supplies are more readily available -- in Blacksburg.

For whatever reason, it's cool to hate on Wal-Mart. Whether you believe the retail giant makes goods available to the masses at reasonable prices or whether you feel Sam Walton's creation is a symbol of all that's wrong with America, the chain is not going anywhere -- and that's a good thing.

While some of the town's smaller retailers have voiced objections over a big box's installation on South Main Street, they have very little to worry about.

These smaller boutique shops are not in danger. No one who frequents Homebody or Hokie Spokes is likely to ditch the Blacksburg icons for a chain; the two serve different, non-overlapping needs. Right now, if an architecture student needs supplies, she's likely to dash down to Mish Mish; if she needs a shotgun or 50 pounds of birdseed, Wal-Mart in Christiansburg is the likely destination. Wal-Mart is not going to cannibalize much, if any, of local merchants' business.

Currently, if residents sojourn to Christiansburg to visit Wal-Mart or Target -- or Home Depot, for that matter -- they may stop in at Sonic or IHOP for a quick bite before coming home. With a larger store right here in Blacksburg, that same resident might stop in for lunch at Boudreaux's or Awful Arthur's. They may even venture down the street, poking around the Matrix Gallery or the farmers market, potentially pouring more money into Blacksburg's coffers. The town could certainly use the extra money, especially in an economic downturn and with more than a couple of vacant retail spots downtown. This ancillary spending would be a huge boon to businesses.

While some may oppose Wal-Mart on a philosophical basis, there's no reason not to take advantage of its corporate largess and embrace the additional revenue it will bring to Blacksburg.

The editorial board is composed of David Grant, David Harries, Laurel Colella, Alexandra Kaufmann and Jenna Marson.