ST. ALBANS, Vt. (AP) - After nearly 20 years of debate to get approval for a Wal-Mart in St. Albans, Vt., the developers are holding a ceremony to thank supporters.
Construction on the more than 140,000-square-foot store in a former hayfield started almost a month ago. The ceremony is being held Saturday.
The Burlington Free Press reports the store battle was over the desire for people in St. Albans to have easy access to inexpensive goods, versus the wish to preserve a historic downtown.
Downtown businesses, some of whom feared that Wal-Mart would drive some people away from them, now think that the area can support both a giant discount retailer and city businesses.
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