Regional Commercial Development

According to an article in today’s Telegram and Gazette, Wal-Mart has just announced plans to build two new stores in the area, one in Leominster and one in Lancaster. These would be in addition to an existing store in Lunenburg. Now, I recognize the passionate array of arguments in favor of and against store chains like Wal-Mart - my intention is not to debate whether Wal-Mart in and of itself is a good thing. Instead, I want to draw attention to some of the points made in the article that bode well for the general future direction of our region.

The article quotes a Wal-Mart executive as saying the following: “Our real estate department conducted a thorough review and discovered that this region is very, very underserved in terms of retail development.” He is also reported to have indicated, “We’re looking at the region as a whole, and there’s a definite market there.”

I’m thrilled to hear these sentiments expressed publicly. In the two years alone that I’ve lived in Fitchburg, I’ve been astounded by the rapid rate of commercial development in the region. Major chains including Starbuck’s, Target, Chile’s, Best Buy, etc. (I could name so many more!) have all recognized the area’s potential. No doubt there will be many more to come in the future, particularly given that a burst of development tends to be particularly effective at capturing the attention of other chains. Trader Joe’s, if any of your representatives happen upon this blog, I beg you to consider opening a store out this way!

I’m actually someone who typically prefers to eat and shop at unique, local establishments (e.g. Shack’s, Mill No. 3 Farmstand, Bombay Tandoor Grill) rather than at the major chains. However, it is nonetheless encouraging that a number of major chains are beginning to realize that our area is up-and-coming. Not only will this help improve our tax base, but it will also play a role in drawing new residents to the region (to partake of both chain and non-chain offerings) as we begin to overcome that false stigma that we’re located “in the middle of nowhere.” I’m also quite hopeful that it will encourage individuals to open small businesses, along the lines of the piano bar that’s due to open soon on Main Street in Fitchburg.