I remember the first time I heard of walmart in 1989. I said they would never get a big as k-mart. LOL!
My husband’s from Arkansas and remembers the first four Walmarts. I’m from Atlanta and remember the first four Home Depots.
When I was still stationed in North Dakota they opened 80 miles away in Fargo, along with a Sam’s Club. We used to drive there and shop. At the same time K Mart opened their Builders Square stores to compete with the Menard’s (there were no Lowe’s or Home Depots up there at that time).
After our first visit to Walmart my wife and I talked about how it seemed to be a lower quality Meijer’s, which was based out of Grand Rapids, Michigan. I found out Sam Walton got his start at Meijer’s and broke out on his own.
Too bad the Builders Squares didn’t find a way to compete with Menard’s, Home Depot, and Lowe’s as we liked their offerings. Also, I think being owned by K Mart didn’t help.