Manson,WA (MVT) - The new Wal-Mart store is scheduled to open Monday, January 22, 2007.  Entangled in court proceedings over a maximum building size of 50,000 square feet on five acres, Wal-Mart and the City of Chelan have overcome a proposed injunction by the Friends of Small Town Chelan to stop the opening.

Workers put finishing touches on entrance

The courts were sympathetic to the 200+ residents of the area who have already been hired by Wal-Mart.  Some had already left their jobs in anticipation of Monday's opening.

The issue of building size is not dead yet.  The courts have placed the responsibility back into the hands of the city planning department.  It is their responsibility to produce an amendment to the city building codes that will allow the already-completed structure to comply.

Many residents were upset about the project from the time that they realized the proposed Apple Blossom Center was really going to be a Wal-Mart Supercenter.  Some felt they were deceived during the approval process.  Others just wanted to preserve small-town Chelan.  They cited numerous stories about the negative impact that Wal-Mart has had on small communities throughout the country.

In spite of these efforts, the vast majority of residents want to see Wal-Mart open.  Many say that they have to drive to Wenatchee or Omak for major purchases and the new store will save them time and gas costs.  And with gas prices still way too high for the area income level, the nearby bargain store will be a financial relief.

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