The reasons for wanting the megastore to remain are simple: it is close and the prices are low, which equals double savings for Lake Chelan area residents.  An average trip from Manson to Wenatchee takes about an hour.  It is approximately 50 miles one-way.

Let's do the math:

Round trip = 100 miles

Fuel cost = $2.30/gal

Fuel economy = 20 miles/gallon

Fuel cost = $2.30 x (100/20) = $2.30 x 5 gal = $11.50

So the cost in fuel alone is $11.50.  If we use a vehicle cost per mile formula, it would look something like this:

Cost per mile = $0.30

Cost = 100 miles x $0.30 = $30.00

The cost now becomes $30.00 for fuel and vehicle costs AND two hours of your day spent driving.  Contrast that with a 20 minute drive over 10 miles, one-way.

Round trip = 20 miles

Fuel cost = $2.30/gal

Fuel economy = 20 miles/gallon

Fuel cost = $2.30 x (20/20) = $2.30 x 1 = $2.30

Or, using our cost per mile formula:

Cost per mile = $0.30

Cost = 20 miles x $0.30 = $6.00

Now the savings: 

                                         Fuel        Operation     Time Round-trip

Manson-Wenatchee   $11.50   $30.00   2 hours

Manson-Chelan       $2.30    $6.00   40 minutes

Savings             $9.20   $24.00   1 hour 20 minutes

Now add these savings to the low Wal-Mart prices and it is no wonder why people want Wal-Mart to stay.