Standard Humboldt morning drizzlemist floated onto eager shoppers-in-waiting as they lined up outside of Eureka’s brand spankin’ new Wal-Mart Wednesday morning. It’s been six months since the Journal was finally able to confirm that the planet Earth’s largest retailer would be creeping into the Bayshore Mall. Now here we are. Opening day. Let’s do this.
“We’ve been here since 4:40,” said Humboldt County resident Cindy Harvey who, along with mother Debbie Steiner and young daughter Jessica, held the distinction of being the first people in line. Like many a giddy online commenter, Harvey was glad that she would no longer “have to” drive to Crescent City to shop at her fav chain. And what item dost Harvey crave on this blessed day?
“Mostly the DVD [player] that has the VHS [player],” she said before motioning to her kid. “And toys for her.”
“She likes Squinkies,” grandma Debbie chimed in. Jessica grinned and nodded.
But before Squinkies could be secured, another elaborate ceremony –similar to VIP Open House earlier this week — had to be endured. About 200 people looked on as many of Sunday’s players reprised their roles: Pastor Jeff Beltz opened in prayer, Mayor Frank Jager said “we’re happy,” and Wal-Mart employees sang the national anthem while the Eureka High NJROTC presented the ol’ stars and stripes.
But it was then that the day’s most precious spectacle occurred. Roll call! A giant Pepsi bottle, a grinning polar bear in a chef’s hat, and a piece of white bread in a cape enthusiastically wiggled and spun around — some might call this “dancing” — while the Black Eyed Peas’ “Let’s Get It Started” blared. Many a camera phone was satiated, even if the choreography lacked.
“I didn’t know I was dancing until 5 minutes ago,” a voice emanating from deep inside the Pepsi bottle told the Journal.
After the mascot slam dance, Eureka City Concilmembers Marian Brady and Mike Newman stood on either side of new Wal-Mart manager Gabby Long as she used Eureka’s favorite pair of scissors to cut a ribbon allowing Humboldtians to stampede their way to savings.
Henceforth, Wal-Mart is open in Humboldt. Adjust accordingly.
MORE PHOTOS (click’em):
Three generations: Debbie Steiner, Cindy Harvey and little Jessica were first in line.
Led by beatbox maestro Isaac Medley, Eureka High’s Limited Edition serenades the masses prior to Wal-Mart’s opening.
“Oh, say…”
Hydesville Community Church Associate Pastor Jeff Beltz asks God to bless the Eureka Wal-Mart.
These guys are of the opinion that “it” would be better if “it” were “started.”
Wal-Mart manager Gabby Long frees the savings.
Free Monster energy drinks are handed out in front of Wal-Mart on opening day. Vendors marked the bottom of the cans.
“So they don’t tackle you when you come out with them.” In other words, so Wal-Mart employees don’t think you’re stealing Monsters.
INSIDE WAL-MART:
More cake! This one in the shape of Wal-Mart’s new digs and its parking lot! Yum!
They got DVDs!
They got cereal!
And hey! Jessica found her Squinkies!
A momentous occasion! Some free Cracker Jacks distributed to Wal-Mart opening day shoppers resulted in the store’s first ever spill! Clean up on aisle, uh … oh, they don’t have numbers.
The price of printers has risen since Sunday. Well, these are a different model.
The sugary friends ventured indoors. Here’s one.
Oh, here’s another one … but where’s that third one …
BUSTED!
And then there’s the Wal-Mart greeter, Herb — in many ways, the face of the new Eureka store. Herb applied for the role specifically and was excited to carry on the corporation’s tradition.
“It’s an institution of Wal-Mart,” he said. “It was part of the first store in 1962.”
After a career as a mechanic, Herb retired eight years ago but the realities of the financial climate led him to reenter the workforce.
“You can’t live on one income anymore. It’s a two income society,” Herb says.
This article appears in The Money, The Future, The Vote.
What a grand celebration of low wages and mediocrity.
I’ve never seen so many gigantic asses in one building
everytime I hear someone say that they “need” a walmart because they cant afford to shop other places I think about how much poorer there actions are keeping the chinese people that make the stuff they think they need.
but i guess chinese people were dumb for not being born in america. sad.
7:23, correction. We blame the Chinese for not being Christian. Everything bad that happens to a non-Christian that does good things for a Christian is a blessing of Providence… be it American Indians wiped out by a plague brought by early white traders that ends up giving the pilgrims abandoned fields to farm, or Chinese workers toiling away for peanuts so that we can have spatulas for 30 cents less.
“AND GOD SAID LET THE EVIL WAL-MART BURN AND ALL THE GIGANTIC BUTTS SHALL FRY IN THEIR OWN FAT”
Thanks for the lecture, Scott, but there isn’t an alternative to Chinese-made computers. Conversely, the sophisticated consumers who celebrate the new Walmart are often the same ones who wax angry about the trade imbalance with Asia. Go figure.
Thanks for the lecture Joel………..
Thanks for destroying Humboldt Country Walmart.
Just so we’re clear Joel, I’m no Walmart fan.
I’m just not a fan of hipocracy either.
And the “there’s no alternative” is the same argument folks who shop at walmart use.
Perhaps there is no alternative to Chinese electronics, but there are ways to reduce the harm. Perhaps I’m wrong in assuming that “AmericanSelfishness” didn’t do something like buy used parts and DIY a computer, or look for manufacturers with verified adherance to a high code of conduct, or buy from a local reseller.
My point is, let he who is without consumerist sin throw the first stone.
Hating low-level employees and folks on a limited income is liberal bourgouise bs. Its acting like a pawn of the powers that be. Those in charge like nothing more than for the poor and middle class to fight with each other.
Hate walmart yes, its a corporation and doesn’t have feelings. But don’t hate the humans.
I’ll ignore the troll-bait comment about lectures and ask others to do the same.
Wow! I bot 25 packies of sudafed at the drug counteer walmart didnt ask why I luv this plase!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“Let’s Get It Started” is the radio version. The song is originally called “Let’s Get Retarded.” The irony should not go unnoticed.
Bravo!
Scott, I agree that the nasty tone of some of the comments is uncalled for. There’s no shame in working for Walmart. But the nastiness of the comments is not a one-way street, and there’s no hypocrisy in loathing such an awful corporation.
Hey! There I am! I am so glad to be a part of the opening. Even though my waist size is much smaller than most and pretty good looking with a $60k a year job. I made some pretty good cash on this project. Suck it bitches!
@ American selfishness ….you do know that most of what you buy is made in China right? And you do know that all the Chinese crap in Walmart is the same Chinese crap in every other store in our area right?
By the way…what are you “corporations are evil” folks typing on right now….i phone or macbook….both made where again? Oh yeah…china
Humboldt County already had Target, K-Mart, CVS, RiteAid, Safeway, Costo and many dollar stores. The hatred for Walmart being in the area just doesn’t make sense.
I have to say I love, love, following this blog now. It’s like a Humboldt County version of Gawker – which, by the way – you should totally write for. Keep it up!!
No photos of the booze isle? Kinda surprising.
Ok….wow! a Walmart. I won’t be able to go and get something there till I get my SSI check on the 29th of June. Then….I;m going to look around there, Nice!
Rich in Eureka
Itll be great if the store is selling pseudafed in quantey and butane canistors 1 stop shop for more cheep meth when i get a ride today
Corporations aren’t evil. They just have an evolved set of incentives that result in behaviours which are often counter to the best interests of humans and the rest of the planet. Especially as they get bigger and more powerful, like WalMart.
I got ten dollars that the North Coast Journal carries walmart ads and coupons in the next 3-6 months.
I’d really like to know what being fat and shopping at Wal-mart have to do with each other. Cus I’m not seeing a correlation. Fat people shop everywhere. So do skinny people, and short people, and tall people, and blonde or brunette or redheaded people. Old people go shopping, and teenagers go shopping. They shop at Wal-mart, and they shop in downtown Arcata. I see fat people in classy boutiques, and I see skinny people at Target. I also see the opposite. I just don’t see WTF your size has to do with anything. I’m not a fan of Wal-mart, but I’m also not a fan of judgemental d-bags.
The Wal-Mart business model is pretty straightforward. Restrict the hours worked and wages paid for each worker so that most of them qualify for public benefits like Medi-Cal/Medicaid and food stamps.
Overhead is reduced, prices are kept low, shoppers abound, and hopefully the public remains blissfully unaware that they’re being fleeced.
So rejoice in your savings, and don’t think about your tax dollars subsidizing those low, low prices.
I, for one, am thankful the mascots danced. If they stood there motionless, staring at us silently with unblinking eyes, it would be super creepy. Kids would cry and hide behind their parents.
Everybody was skinny and sexy in Humboldt County then Walmart moved in and BLAMMO!
The amount of Walmart this, and Walmart that is funny. Like Humboldt County was rainbows and sunshine for the 50 years it didn’t have Walmart then in the last 18 hours that Walmart has been open it’s gone to shit.
I’d also like to counter the circle-jerk Joel Mi(e)kle is having on his Facebook Page.
Walmart carries birth control pills and has since 2007. $9 a month supply, same as Target. I advise you and you friends to invest in some of these:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Hitachi-HV250R-Magic-Wand-Massager/10910404
Because you all need to sit and spin for awhile.
Wow, so Walmart stopped refusing to provide birth control to women way back in 2007? That’s very impressive.
No, in 2007 they dropped the price to $9 a month supply. Refusing to provide? That’s just stupid hogwash.
Makes you wonder how many facts these “reporters” and newspaper people get wrong daily.
And Walmart has carried birth control for a very long time now.
But I bet Walmart is refusing to provide reefer for Prop 215 holders. So I’m sure you can bitch about that.
Anon.R.Mous, maybe you could use that wand you recommended at 12:09 to spin us up a positive take on how Wal-Mart’s low prices are taxpayer-subsidized by qualifying so many of their workers for public benefits.
[Comment removed for being an embarrassment to humanity. –NCJ]
Look at reviews and prices of HP Deskjet 1000 on Amazon. Wal-Mart price no big deal. “Absolute garbage — made special for Wal-Mart”
My dear OW WAGES. EVERY DAY, you act as if every other company in Humboldt county pays more than minimum wage. You think that other Humboldt County people before Walmart (and after) made lots of money being clerks?
I’m just wondering.
Don’t worry, your SSI check will be there on the first.
Hell, let’s ask Ryan Burns.
How much money did you make being a clerk at Figs for how many years? Did you have full bennies?
Honestly I don’t know, but since we all know you been clerkin’ maybe you can shed some light on how much better you were paid at Figs.
Geeze you people have got to be the most uneducated morons of the century. I’m glad to be out of here working at Oracle in two weeks. I look forward to shopping at Whole Foods, and eating organic foods.
What does a polar bear at Wal-Mart represent. How factories making Wal-Mart’s crap are spewing smog and melting the ice so since polar bears can’t get a job in the Arctic they have to work at Wal-Mart? Or just that the public likes polar bears and it would go over with the younger shoppers?
Zev Levi
http://www.bimbobakeriesusa.com/
Are you really that stupid, it’s been covered like 4 times already in this blog.
[Comment removed for being stupidly offensive and offensively stupid.–NCJ]
Finally someone even more idiotic and offensive (9:36) than anon-r-mous.
“The hatred for Walmart being in the area just doesn’t make sense”.
Walmart has not been a friend to rural economies according to national research, the lawsuits, the class-action losses, the chronic labor shenanigans, et al.
Wrapping any corporation this dirty with accolades by elected official, (who know damn well over half this city voted against Walmart), is offensive.
Having another big box that’s too big to fail, that kills competition, raises prices, then leaves, helps us, How?
Any bitterness over 10 years of Eureka city “leaders” ignoring every national and local economic study warning that low-wage saturation is unsustainable, is legitimate. I’d rather have ten-dozen mom and pop stores paying minimum wage than one big box.
BTW, with few exceptions, you can walk into most retail shops and not see so many obese children and their obese parents.
Stating facts about Walmart and its victims is neither “hate” nor “bigotry”.
You will burn in Hell for doubting the Power our Lord Jesus Christ has saved you by providing super discounted products! To save your Soul you better go to our Wal-Mart and spend all your money, and scream from isle #7 “Lord save me for I am a bastard destined to an eternity of fire and stones.” We at Wal-Mart will say a prayer for you every day, for the end is near.
Finally a Walmart. The last time I went to a Walmart. I shit my pants. With some luck, they gave new pants. What a store….yes!
Anon.R.Mous, what’s the matter? You can’t refute the simple statement that Wal-Mart’s prices are not really as low as they seem, because all of us taxpayers are subsidizing their workers with public benefits? It’s an issue of wages and hours worked, not just wages.
Since I’m asking you to respond to my question, I’ll respond to yours. No, I don’t think that “every other company in Humboldt county pays more than minimum wage.” I also don’t think that every other company strategically calculates wages and hours worked to keep as many of its employees as possible on public benefits.
one of my kids got away with a Xbox this mornin whoope!!!!! he tore the magentic thing off and hid it Xbox in my other kids jacket and walkd out.ARRRIBA!!!!
LOW WAGES. EVERY DAY. I completely disagree with your theory. For one reason, it isn’t based in fact. There are major reasons that they have lower prices, one being some items they sell are “Walmart Only” items, and two, they have almost perfected logistics.
People in Humboldt County are already subsidizing every employee in the county by your theory. At least the paychecks won’t bounce from Walmart eh?
The point is over-saturating rural economies with poverty wages.
Local government cannot keep-up, they’re forced to cut fundamental survival benefits, causing families increased desperation, and the drug abuse and crime that follows it…. further stressing public budgets.
It’s a well-researched, vicious cycle that has victims crying for lower-prices as this failed development model makes them poorer and poorer.
On WalMart’s Opening Day, Residents Announce Intention to File “Eureka Fair Wage Initiative”
Eureka, CA: Members of Occupy Eureka and Peoples’ Action for Rights and Community, along with other concerned residents, are announcing today their intention to file the Eureka Fair Wage Initiative.
“WalMart has come to our community, against the will of the voters, to drive down wages and benefits for working people,” says Veteran for Peace, Don Swall. With this initiative the voters will have a chance to say “NO.” NO to outside corporations putting downward pressure on local wages. NO to the closing of locally owned businesses. NO to the blight that WalMart and other Big Box retailers bring to small towns across America.
The Eureka Fair Wage Initiative will require employers to pay a minimum of $12 an hour to all of their workers, with an exception for smaller businesses. The initiative is a simple, straightforward proposal to keep stingy companies from killing jobs in the community that pay a decent wage. It will keep more of those dollars here in Eureka California, rather then flying our money to Bentonville Arkansas.
Eureka residents said “NO” to WalMart at the ballot box before, but through secretive deals and backroom negotiations the City government and WalMart have undermined the will of the people. This leaves working class people no choice but to take matters out of the hands of politicians, more concerned with personal enrichment then the enrichment of the community, and take to the initiative process. The Initiative planning group invites persons interested in signature gathering or making other types of contributions to call (707) 442-7465.
http://eurekafairwageact.wordpress.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUHienDVtIk
Eureka never said no to Walmart, they said no to rezoning.
Eureka also said NO to this silly “fair wage” initiative a couple of years ago when proponents failed to gather the required number of signatures to get it on the ballot.
God bless Wal-Mart? This spectacle is absolutely sickening and unfathomably ridiculous.
How much did Walmart pay the Journal for selling out they journalistic integrity.
That’s right, NO wages are better than LOW wages…put down the reefer and try to think about it. Look around you and guess how many “locals” are unemployed sucking off the social welfare system. You people are hilarious….
Classy should move to South Carolina. Lots of jobs there, and no barriers to corporations that pay low wages, pollute with impunity, enjoy tax breaks, etc. Awesome!
The Grand Opening! Looks like Stoned Soul Picnic to me. I understand Bayshore Mall was desperate to save itself / fill space. Old Town stores and groceries in Eureka can kiss it goodbye too. Now Eureka can join in trashin the nation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUHienDVtIk
Enjoy the show…
Does the Humboldt County Welfare office still offer free relocation for poor people like it used too?
Then I’d like to thank the welfare dept for getting rid of anon.r.mous.
It’s really kind of funny seeing locals get all excited over something as simple as a Wal Mart. I was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. I grew up with big boxes. OMG WALMART! So cool! I know there’s nothing to do in Humboldt but maybe you small town yokels will get excited over a 7-11 opening next.