2 Responses to “The Walpole Planning Board would like to hear your comments and thoughts!”

1. bennett
   September 28th, 2009 - 11:31 pm

   From Cathy W:
   What are Walpole’s real needs? Our own surveys suggest that townspeople want to keep Walpole’s rural character. Yet they also want a better supermarket. I completely agree with this, and think that, in this instance, we can have it both ways. Since so many Walpoleans seem unwilling to make the short trip to Keene or Claremont to access a better supermarket than our Shaw’s, the obvious solution is to either improve or expand what we have now. (Though it’s hard to believe that a supermarket needs to measure 40K s.f. to make a profit, since our smaller store seems to be doing more than fine.)
   It is not news that the Shaw’s here is poorly merchandised and understocked with the things people need. We have, between North Meadow Plaza and North Walpole, four venues that sell beer and wine, and one NH State Liquor Store. There is an Ocean State Job Lot less than 300 feet from Shaw’s which sells all manner of seasonal items. There is Real to Reel in the same plaza for DVD’s, cell phone’s and even high end cigars. Maybe if Shaw’s sold less alcohol, patio furniture, seasonal gear, DVD’s and more fresh produce, meats, fish and breads, and chose to merchandise their store accordingly, then they would be, if not more profitable, than at least more popular, and that’s a start to being more profitable. I understand from a friend in the grocery business that this Shaw’s store is at the “end of the line” for deliveries. Is that why their prices are so much higher than Keene’s? Is that why you can’t find a decently stocked produce section at any time on any given day? I also understand that there is a Shaw’s in Newport, which is significantly north of Walpole. Where does their fresh food come from? How overpriced is it there (if at all)?
   Shame on Shaw’s for capitalizing on being the only game in town. Maybe if the people of Walpole said “enough” and stopped shopping at Shaw’s for a week, management might open their eyes and realize what it means to be a part of this town. If they want another, newer, larger supermarket to come here and build, well the people of Walpole, unfortunately will in the end support that. Either way Shaw’s goes. And who benefits? Take a close look at the parking lot and you will find that for the most part it might be the people of Vermont. Be careful Walpoleans.

2. bennett
   September 28th, 2009 - 11:36 pm

   When Tim Traynor of Berkshire Development first came to town, there was discussion and some enthusiasm around the idea of starting a grocery co-op in Walpole. No one moved that discussion forward, probably because starting a co-op, like starting any business, requires capital and a huge amount of work. A few years ago, there was the same movement in Bellows Falls to start a co-op there. The local economic development group got a grant to pursue a market study, but I don’t know if that was ever completed. Whatever the result, I’ve not heard anything more about it.
   –Ben Daviss

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