I'm with you Kelly. Being retired on a fixed income, I pay close attention to prices. While we have a glut of high cost grocery stores in Pleasanton, there is only Smart and Final offering lower prices in Pleasanton. My grocery bill on average is 60% lower by shopping stores in Dublin, Livermore and Smart & Final.
All the stores suggested for the Nob Hill site have had the opportunity to reopen a market there and declined. We desperatetly need another alternative to the high priced stores in Pleasanton.

I'll apply for an entry level job making $12.69 per hour with benefits and matching 401k. And the best part... I won't have union dues automatically deducted from my paycheck like you do.

Wake up yourself, Pilar. Walmart and others like them ARE paying living wages and have been for years. Unions protect the poor worker from the employer nowadays and take whatever extra they can from their "members." There may be a need for unions in other vocations, but being a clerk or similar at Walmart is not a job a union needs to represent someone as its's not dangerous and the employer isn't putting them in situations that may pose risks like coal miners, steel workers, etc. In N Out pays a living wage and they aren't union. Tell me, Pilar, what's your union done for you that you couldn't have done for yourself in a private sector job without a union? Nothing! If you don't have one, get an education and make yourself marketable and employable and you'll be fine. The employer doesn't owe anyone a thing. It's up to you, not the union. All they do is get rich on union dues. If you want a job where you are working harder, and better, than your coworker and that same coworker is making more money than you simply because they've been there longer then a union is where you want to be. If you want a job where a union will fight to keep a below average worker employed but then ultimately lose the fight then join a union. No, unions are for fools. They are the only ones that win. Yes, I've been in two different unions so I speak from experience. They protect the poor worker and reward time served, not ability OR performance.

As a retiree living on a small monthly income, I welcome Walmart to our community. When you look at the facts vs emotion, Walmart has a lot to offer:

People
As of October 31, 2011 (End of Q3), the total number of Walmart associates in California is 73,733. The average wage for regular, full-time hourly associates in California is $12.69 hour. Additionally, eligible associates receive an annual incentive based on the company performance.

Associates that contribute to the 401(k) Plan will receive a dollar for dollar match from Walmart of up to 6 percent of pay.

Suppliers
In FYE 2011, Walmart spent $21,942,455,652.00 for merchandise and services with 3,581 suppliers in the state of California.  Walmart supports 215,430 supplier jobs in the state of California. Supplier figures provided by Dun & Bradstreet.

Taxes and Fees
Walmart collected on behalf of the state of California more than $961.6 million in sales taxes in FYE 2011. Walmart paid more than $180.3 million in state and local taxes in the state of California in FYE 2011.

Community Involvement
In 2010, Walmart stores, Sam's Club locations and the Walmart Foundation gave more than $29.1 million in cash and in-kind donations to local organizations in the communities they serve in the state of California.  Through additional funds donated by customers, and Walmart and Sam’s Club associates throughout the state, the retailer’s contributions in California totaled more than $32.5 million.

"Me"? Are you one of those ten people who strongly oppose Walmart but refuse to identify who you are or who you represent? Sorry, but we can't take your opinion seriously.

I agree, Joselyn! My family LOVES Trader Joe's! As it is, we have to go to either the Danville TJ's location (which can be a nightmare if you get caught up in the after school San Ramon High traffic), or we have to go to the Pleasanton Trader Joe's. From what I've heard though, Trader Joe's doesn't believe San Ramon has a suitable location for them. I find that difficult to believe, but, I'd still welcome a TJ's store in San Ramon over Walmart any day of the week.

Mike, I agree with you. This is a union issue and has nothing to do with the best interests of our community. Walmart is happily accepted in communities concerned about jobs and local sales revenue.

In addition to Target, CVS sells a lot of groceries and is non-union. Trader Joe's is non-union. Whole Foods is non-union. Fresh & Easy is non-union. Sprouts is non-union. Grocery Outlet is non-union. Even little 7-Eleven is non-union. All of the above sell groceries and operate at least one or more locations within a 10 mile radius of the proposed Walmart Neighborhood Market. Boy, if the unions had their way we wouldn't have many places to shop for food and we would be paying really high prices!!

That is your opinion, Sue. Please do not speak for the community of San Ramon. My guess is there are more residents who would like to see price competition within the retail grocery arena. Sprouts in Dublin has already made an impact on lowering some of the prices at Lucky's and Safeway. Competition is a good thing for the consumer.

Targets interior grocery sections are now full size stores within a store. Both Dublin and San Ramon have been remodeled to include the new design, its chock full of groceries now. Ask Safeway if the small amount of groceries that Target sells is not an issue. Its now one of their biggest competitive issues.

As far as Safeway and Lucky's, I take it you don't follow their treatment of union employees over the years and their known behind the scenes manipulation and abuse of CEQA laws to try and limit competition from developing new sites so they can continue to keep a tight grip on pricing. Oh yeah, those guys are just a bunch of big teddy bears...

San Ramon DOES want them here. You are in the minoity. San Ramon needs the employment and tax revenue.

I TOTALLY agree! We surely do not need the "Scum of the Earth" Walmart coming anywhere near our town!

Trader Joe's has had ample time to look at this site. The simple fact is they are not interested in this location. And the rest of your comments regarding "worst retailers, traffic, noise, big rigs, trash, and parking lot campers" is nonsense. Every retailer has delivery trucks, including Trader Joe's. There would be no added traffic or noise with either. The city of San Ramon has laws regarding no overnight camping and those would be enforced, as the are now. Stick to the facts, not your emotions.

After going through two devastating downsizings during the last 20 years, and now working only part-time when I REALLY need a full-time job, my family isn't exactly living on easy street, Older. Wal-Mart paints this misconception that no one can touch their prices; but, I think just a little homework and research on your part would prove them wrong. Trader Joe's has lower prices than one would think. Lucky's also has great grocery deals, and even Safeway, especially when you can catch their 'buy one, get one free' deals and/or their dollar an item deals.

I can totally understand having to deal with limited financial resources, but, no one should have to sell their soul to the devil just to have a decent meal; and Wal-Mart is the retail equivalent of satan himself - particularly if you're unfortunate enough to work there.

To older-glad to hear Walmart will lower your food bill- staples ie peanut butter, rice, cereal are even cheaper than traders (favorite grocery)...they like high foot traffic areas.. would never happen in that center, look at the walnut creek and Danville location.