The groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday for the new Wal-Mart Supercenter at County N and Youth Cabin Road was a notable event in Monroe's story of economic development in 2008.
It marked the start of one of the largest retail complexes to be built in southwest Wisconsin, but it is one of many projects going on in Monroe that makes us think the city is on its way to retail stability.
Besides the Supercenter, Walgreens is close to opening between Brennan's and PCP Computers, between Wisconsin 69 and Eighth Avenue, north of Eighth Street. Other projects include the Northpass retail/office development at the intersection of Wis. 69 and Vince's Restaurant and Pizzeria relocating to 619 Fourth Ave., next to Dollar General.
St. Vincent de Paul is close to finishing a major expansion, and Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches is now open next to Pick 'n' Save. Super 8 is nearing completion of an addition which includes 11 guest rooms, a pool and meeting room. Brennan's is undergoing a major renovation.
No protesters greeted the shovels and earth-moving equipment that are clearing the way for a bigger and better Wal-Mart at Wednesday's groundbreaking, probably because there's little that can be done now to stop it.
But one man, Morlin Zimmerman, brought a sign. One side welcomed the Supercenter to town, which Zimmerman said will "pull dollars up from Illinois" into Monroe.
The other side asked, "Where is Menards?"
The second big box on the north side of the city, Menards plans a megastore to the east of the Supercenter, along Wis. 69. While it's received approval from the city, there has been no ground broken on that site. Menards has until Nov. 20, 2009, to commence construction of the new store.
We hope it's much sooner than that. Let the retail revival continue.
It marked the start of one of the largest retail complexes to be built in southwest Wisconsin, but it is one of many projects going on in Monroe that makes us think the city is on its way to retail stability.
Besides the Supercenter, Walgreens is close to opening between Brennan's and PCP Computers, between Wisconsin 69 and Eighth Avenue, north of Eighth Street. Other projects include the Northpass retail/office development at the intersection of Wis. 69 and Vince's Restaurant and Pizzeria relocating to 619 Fourth Ave., next to Dollar General.
St. Vincent de Paul is close to finishing a major expansion, and Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches is now open next to Pick 'n' Save. Super 8 is nearing completion of an addition which includes 11 guest rooms, a pool and meeting room. Brennan's is undergoing a major renovation.
No protesters greeted the shovels and earth-moving equipment that are clearing the way for a bigger and better Wal-Mart at Wednesday's groundbreaking, probably because there's little that can be done now to stop it.
But one man, Morlin Zimmerman, brought a sign. One side welcomed the Supercenter to town, which Zimmerman said will "pull dollars up from Illinois" into Monroe.
The other side asked, "Where is Menards?"
The second big box on the north side of the city, Menards plans a megastore to the east of the Supercenter, along Wis. 69. While it's received approval from the city, there has been no ground broken on that site. Menards has until Nov. 20, 2009, to commence construction of the new store.
We hope it's much sooner than that. Let the retail revival continue.
