Big Box Battle

Chicago - Chicago's love-hate relationship with big box stores could be making a new turn. The battle for a new Wal-Mart has been stalled for years.

Wednesday night, a group of residents and community leaders were chanting "We want Wal-Mart! We want Wal-Mart!"  in Englewood, near the intersection of 63rd and Halsted.

With thousands of signatures and a proposal for Wal-Mart to bring on the bricks, the group said a
Wal-Mart Supercenter in the area would create jobs and breathe new life into the community.

"The media reports crime here in Englewood on a daily basis.  I believe the economic value in the neighborhood is low so we will bring up the economic value.”  “Crime and violence will stop,” Darryl Smith, from Political Task Force said.

Just last week, alderman Anthony Beale of the 9th Ward started talking about a Wal-Mart super store further South at 111th near Cottage Grove.

Alderman Howard Brookins has been trying to build a big box store at in his ward for years.

"It does not hurt this development. It highlights the need for jobs and better shopping opportunities within the African American community," Brookins said.

Brookins also said in some of the underserved communities, it's not just about the work, it's about having options like fresh fruit and a pharmacy.

And the only reason Brookins said each community wants a Wal-Mart, is because Wal-Mart wants them.

"There’s nobody else, no other retailers are willing to take a chance and come,” Brookins said. “We're not gonna get a Nordstrom or a Neiman Marcus; It's either Wal-Mart or Target, and Target has already said no to our community."