FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 14, 2002

SCHUMER URGES WAL-MART TO OPEN NEW STORE IN TUPPER LAKE

Recent departure of Ames store leaves local residents with retail outlet void, forcing residents to travel over an hour for basic shopping needs

Schumer urges Wal Mart CEO to open a new store in the area

US Senator Charles Schumer today urged Wal-Mart to open a store in southern Franklin County, in an effort to alleviate the retail void left by the recent closing of two Ames department stores in Tupper Lake and Saranac Lake.

"The Ames closings have severely impacted the more than 20,000 full time residents in the area by further reducing their already limited shopping options," Schumer wrote in a letter to the Wal-Mart President and CEO, Mr. Lee Scott. "With Ames gone, residents now face new burdens in terms of time, energy and money needed just to buy basic necessities like clothing and home supplies."

Schumer said that area residents are now forced to drive as much as one hour and twenty minutes to do their major shopping at the Wal-Mart in Plattsburgh. "This is a new and unnecessary burden on local residents," Schumer wrote. "I cannot image what it must be like to travel so far just to do your basic shopping. The year is 2002, not 1902, and our citizens deserve better."

Schumer said a new Wal-Mart would help fill the void left by the closed Ames stores. "The demand for a Wal-Mart is already clear but becomes even greater in the summer when thousands of visitors come to the area. A new Wal-Mart would meet the needs of local consumers and would also be a viable business opportunity for you. I urge you to take a look at this area of New York State and consider opening a Wal-Mart store in the area," Schumer wrote.

Schumer also cited his successful effort in 1999 to help Wal-Mart obtain needed permits from the Army Corps of Engineers and the US Fish and Wildlife Service so that Wal-Mart could begin construction on a distribution center in Johnstown.

"Today there are close to one thousand jobs directly linked to that distribution center, and it has been a positive addition to both the local economy and to your company," Schumer wrote. "I appreciate your work and continued willingness to do business in New York State and hope that you will join me in that effort once more."

For a copy of Schumer's letter click here.

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