re: #332 klys

Probably because they are able to be the cheapest in town, driving the other local places that might provide a better work environment out of business.

Yep. When I drove back and forth to California last time I noticed that some Walmarts are basically the town hubs now. As you know they have opticians, hair salons, banking, etc. But this has been part of the the American way of life for a long time. I remember many big box stores from when I was kid that are gone now. Sears was one and we used to go to the Sears Surplus store for school clothing. Sears also edged out the small “ma and pa” stores at one point.