After East New York Failure, Walmart Eyes South Slope

It’s no secret that the king of big box superstores, Walmart, has been attempting to infiltrate New York City for a number of years now. After  last year’s push in East New York was thwarted, it appeared that the retail giant was scaling back on its effort to set up shop in NYC, but sources over the weekend revealed that they’ve recently set their sights on a spot here in South Slope.

The long vacant Frost building on 5th Avenue and 19th Street holds little resemblance to the Wal-Mart stores across the country that we have come to know and love (hate), but that’s the appeal.

“We have always been committed to bringing new shopping options to New York City,” announced Walmart spokesman Avril Primero. “This 5th Avenue location gives the community a little bit of everything. Customers will have the convenience of reasonable Walmart prices in the heart of the city, while at the same time remaining faithful to the look and feel of traditional Brooklyn architecture.”

It’s difficult to imagine this scenario actually playing out, especially given the outpouring of anti-Walmart sentiments from mayoral and borough president candidates, but it’s not out of the question. Neighbor Kwiecień Pierwszy actually welcomes the retailer’s interest in the neighborhood.

“I love Walmart,” she told us, “and travel to Jersey several times a month to shop there.”

Aibreán Erste disagrees, and thinks such a store would be disastrous for small businesses in the community. “The South Slope/Greenwood Heights area would become unrecognizable. Walmart is not welcome here.”

“Nothing is happening yet,” Avril Primero said on Saturday, “but we are certainly interested, and think the public will be supportive if and when we do decide where to open a South Park Slope location.”