Closure of last big downtown retailer, Walmart, prompts fears
First the downtown Walgreens closed about a year ago, followed six months later by the shuttering of the neighborhood Longs, and now the last major retailer, Walmart, plans to shut its doors after April 21 — leading to fears that the Fort Street Mall area will become a magnet for even more crime, homeless activity and graffiti.
“It’s not a good sign that a national chain would shut down,” said House Speaker Scott Saiki, whose district includes downtown. “It’s an indication of the demise of the downtown area.”
Sean Fitzsimmons, an attorney who lives on Bishop Street, shops at the Fort Street Walmart at least a couple of times a week for basic essentials.
