Wal-Mart tries again for new Chicago store

CHICAGO, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc., rejected in its last attempt to build a second store in Chicago, will try the city again in the spring, a company official says.

The Bentonville, Ark., retailer backed down after running into opposition from city and neighborhood officials this year when it proposed a 180,000-square-foot Supercenter, which would have been its second store in the city. But now Wal-Mart says it's ready to try again, the Chicago Tribune reported Saturday.

"We've shown ourselves to be a very viable business and a relevant one in the face of some pretty tough developments in the economy," John Bisio, director of public affairs for Wal-Mart in Chicago, told the newspaper. "I would guess as we come out of the holidays, we would want to have that kind of conversation (with the city)."

"We're always open to talk to them about other opportunities," said Pete Scales, spokesman for the Chicago Planning Department.

Wal-Mart has managed to post same-store sales gains in recent months, even as the housing crisis and rising unemployment have put pressure on such competitors as Target Corp. and Kmart, the Tribune said.