I think the big reason the city loves strip malls is because you can fit a lot of businesses in a small area.   This in turn brings in HUGE tax dollars.  Commercial taxes are where the city gets most of its money from.  Its way more (or should be in a healthy local economy) than what the city gets from residential taxes.  So I can understand the huge drive to bring in business.

Personally, I don't mind the influx of commercial interests.  I would hate to lose the "small town" atmosphere but that doesn't have to be, especially if they design the zones correctly.   If they keep all the big shopping right near the 58, you have the rest of Tehachapi to keep that small town feel.  And I entirely agree with you about the "run down looking businesses".  Too often "small-town atmosphere" equals "abandoned buildings and junk piles."

Of course I've lived here for a year but loving every minute of it. :)

Scottso, I love it here too.  But I can't help myself.  I see room for improvement.

I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, but I live on the Gulf Coast, and my husband and my best friend is the site manager for the contractor who builds most of the Walmarts and Sam's Clubs out here ... we haven't seen one of these newly redesigned Walmarts, and our friend knows of no plans for any out here anytime soon, and he's got a stack of plans "this thick" that are either waiting to be bid on or for which they've already been awarded. He also proofs the plans for the southeastern region of the Walmart construction division before they send them ... again, no plans for cool landscaping or facades that he's ever seen.

I dunno ... maybe they're out there, just not in our area.

I'm passing out umbrellas....LOL
The following article is from USA Today and talks about  how Wal-Mart is considering an urban look and downtown locations for two of its Gulf Coast stores destroyed by Hurricane Katrina: 

http://www.usatoday.com/new...

Sooooooooo, maybe there IS hope.

Beamer - That's what I'm talking about. 

How can we lobby our city officials - who "encourage Wal-Mart," - to improve their look for Tehachapi?

Did you know that Tehachapi City had Home Depot change it's look for Tehachapi? Well they did! Can't you tell?  I know I can't. It will be the same for Wal-mart  they will paint a few extra stripes down the side and call it good.  I hate to see what Home Depot would have looked like without the City improved changes.....................

Can you buy a pretty dress at Walmart? I haven't seen to many... most of their merchandise is cheep junk from China.  From what I hear Walmart will come in lower its prices~~ they will even take a profit loss for a time ~~ driving out smaller business who just can't compete with the corporate world, so then when the little guy is out of business they raise the prices. How will Tehachapi's landscape look when the only store in town is Walmart?

 

As far as landscape goes for the store, I would guess that the contract will call for something decent, it just seems to me the new things going up around town lately have tried to make the exteriors look nice.

 

I just don't think we need one especially a Super Center, I would rather see some smaller businesses with a variety of different clothing choices come in to town, I still don't mind driving to Bakes or Lancaster for the Costco style shopping.

I have lived in Tehachapi for a year now and agree with your statements regarding the towns 3 blocks of "historic district."  It's unfortunate because it has so much potential.    I guess, coming from St. Augustine, FL...I do have high expectations of what a historic district can look like.  Of course, St. Augustine is much larger than Tehachapi, but it does have a similar vibe.  The city council there is very particular about the types of businesses allowed into the city, too.  They are also criticized for being against big business.  The comparisions stop there.  I guess my first observation of Tehachapi is that I am not completely sure that the leadership in the city is qualified and/or has the experience to handle this sort of change.  (Which is relevant in the Home Depot not looking any different than any other Home Depot in America despite Tehachapi leadership's interventions).  We were attracted to the quaintness of the town and really enjoy living here.  However, once you take a deeper look, one does quickly realize that the "historic" area downtown is a little worn and in need of update.  Which leads me to this....change is inevitable. 

Also, I have personally seen modified Wal-mart stores in Jackson, Wyoming.  They blended into the landscape much more than the traditional structures.   Again, it takes strong sity leadership to make this a reality.

LuvMyKatz-Wouldn't you rather not spend the money on gas to drive all the way to Bakersfield to do your shopping?  Also, wouldn't you rather consumer spending stay in Tehachapi?  As it is now, since the majority of residents do the majority of their shopping in Bakersfield or Palmdale, those revenue dollars are going to improve Bakersfield and Palmdale....not Tehachapi.  Also, I am not sure what businesses would really suffer at the hand of Wal-mart since many of the small businesses in town are niche' businesses.    Which again, those businesses are unable to meet the needs of Tehachapi shoppers.  Again, change is inevitable and all small businesses should understand that they must also change to keep up with the changing market in order to survive.  If the small businesses only business plan is that they are the only one in town...then, yes, I do think they should be concerned about the prospect of a Wal-mart. 

Also, St. Augustine...the oldest city in America, has a historic district that is thriving and flocked by 1,000's of tourists daily.  St. Augustine is known for their small businesses, restaturants and bed and breakfasts.  St. Augustine also has a Super Walmart, a Target and a Home Depot and the small businesses with smart business plans are doing just fine.  St. Augustine did not get to where it is today without some growth and more importantly smart growth managment by it's city's leaders.  That is what Tehachpi needs:   Leadership that can handle managing change.

My last thought is this....I think it is ironic that I would see a "Preserve Tehachapi...stop Wal-Mart" bumper sticker on a car parked in the Home Depot parking lot.  Big business is big business.  You don't think Home Depot has driven small businesses out of towns?  Of course they have!  It is just not as well documented in the media as Wal-mart.

I HOPE THIS WALMART AND OTHER STORES WILL BRING JOBS TO OUR CHILDREN WHO NEED THEM. SOME CHILDREN WANT JOBS BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT HANDED EVERYTHING. WHEN I WAS OF AGE TO WORK TEHACHAPI DIDN'T HAVE MUCH TO CHOOSE FROM. WE ALL KNOW THAT THE TOWN HAS GROWN AND THE CHILDREN HAVE MORE TO DO. SO IF WALMART IS COMING I HOPE IT HELPS SOME OF THE KIDS THAT NEED HELP!!!

In my opinion the kids that REALLY want to work are working already. Many teens don't want to take certain jobs because they are not "cool" enough or they have to wear an ugly uniform or their weekends are disrupted. They don't understand the botttom of the barrel concept and that you have to prove yourself and put in time to move up the ladder. I had no problems getting my first job when I was 16. At the age of 18 I was working 3 jobs! I don't understand how people say it is so hard to get jobs here. Anyone that I have known that REALLY wanted to work and wasn't picky about where they were working GOT a job. I'm talking 16,18,20+ years old. So I'm sorry but I just don't believe the whole "kids can't find work here!" story.

I would rather a Target but will take a Wal-mart.  You can't predict the future.  Kmart may or may not close at the hand of Wal-mart.  The company (K-Mart) does not have a strong record of financial stability.  Who knows?  Maybe the Wal-mart will do so well that it will attract a Best Buy or Mervyn's to the potentially vacated K-mart building.

Either way, the Wal-mart will provide jobs to more than just the kids in the community.  They will need deparment managers, customer service managers, store managers etc.  There are many adult members of our community that have benefited from the new jobs provided by Home Depot.  These same adults, who are concerned with the livelihood of their families will also benefit from the jobs at a Wal-mart and will not let humility stop them from providing for their families.

Also, has anyone ever thought that the reason Home Depot does not have certain items in stock is because they sell out due to the high demand???  One more reason, we need more shopping options here.

I agree with Lovemycats about finding nice things at Wal-mart. It just doesn't happen. The thing is people will still be going to Bakes., Lancaster, and Palmdale all the time. If  we get a Wal-mart will you no longer shop at Costco? Will  you buy all your clothes at Wal-mart? I bet our city manager will still drive to Bakersfield to buy his "special" shoes. Your trips to these places will still continue and we will have a HUGE , ugly building and several empty stores for what??? So I can save 50 cents on my paper towels. Woohoo, I can't wait.

Most of the employees at Home Depot were brought in by the company from out of town. 

That was a personal attack? You've got to be kidding me.

 You have no idea who I am. MY name is on my profile. Some people on here know me.(I posted my pic awhile back)  They know my family. They know I am not a liar. I"ll agree with you that I put up a good fight over the city fire dept. I did that because I believed with all my heart that it wasn't what was best for our city. The reason TFD is gone now is because what I believed and many others beside me believed was true. It wasn't the best for our town.

To be honest I feel embarrassed for you. You are making a total fool out of yourself over these false accusations and statements. Also, I'd refrain from using the phrase "we all". If you have an opinion fine but don't force it on other people.

Just to clarify .... I'm in agreement that no pretty dresses will be purchased at Wal-Mart.  I can't believe I have to address that.  My point - you can't buy a pretty dress currently in Tehachapi.  I frequent Leisure but the stock limited. 

Now, for you gals in an argument over, whatever - could you pick another location?  All the red hot screaming is annoying.

And again, what's small town or attractive about the Albertsons center?  It isn't horrible, but I certainly wouldn't classify "small town."  Now we really have a  mess when you talk about Rite-Aid and Save Mart.  That center is flat out ugly.  And, don't try to make me go into the smoke filled, stinking paint store in Historic Downtown.  Ugh ....

I'm not making these statements for just the fun of it.  I shop in the locations I've just complained about ---- well, not the paint store.  My point ..... what horror will Wal-Mart bring that isn't already here?

Can't resources be pooled and city officials convinced that an improved, upgraded looking Wal-Mart would be a good thing?  It would maybe be a step UP from the examples I've given.

In agreement with above statements - Wal-Mart employs the elderly and the handicapped.  You don't see that often.