For months, there has been a steady stream of protests against the incoming Wal-Mart, from students and community members alike. But when the superstore finally opened its doors on Route 58, 7:30 a.m. on Oct.9, there was no protest — only a small crowd of people waiting to shop.

At the site, people gathered by the entrance. Construction barrels led the way, a sign of the recently completed intersection. The Lorain County Transit Route 21 bus dropped off several eager shoppers.

While the corporate leadership stood off to the side, an anticipatory buzz could be heard coming from the group of people waiting in front of the super-center’s doors.  A little girl tugged on her mother’s jacket to ask how much longer they would have to wait in the cold.

When asked what was in store for the morning, a Wal-Mart employee replied with one word: “Pandemonium.” 

Soon a busload of sleepy-eyed Oberlin High School marching band musicians celebrated the grand opening by parading into the store. 

After the presentation of the flag by the Amherst Veterans of Foreign War, the doors were opened for a ribbon cutting ceremony. A line of employees greeted shoppers, chanting, “Whose Wal-Mart is this?  Our Wal-Mart!” 

The store even showed off a chocolate fountain and a NASCAR demonstration. The grand opening festivities continued throughout the week, culminating in a Jimmy Buffet Sound-Alike Concert on Friday, Oct. 13.

As part of the grand opening festivities, the Wal-Mart Foundation awarded nearly $34,000 to organizations in the Oberlin community, including Oberlin schools, Oberlin Community Service Council, Friends of Oberlin Underground Railroad, City of Oberlin Parks and Recreation Department and the Oberlin Public Library.

Store Manager Jennifer McCoy was unavailable for comment.

Meanwhile, back in Downtown Oberlin, business continued as usual.  Now, even two weeks after Wal-Mart opened, Downtown merchants do not report immediate changes in the flow of customers.

Krista Long, owner of Ben Franklin and Mindfair Books, acknowledged a drained local economy but did not attribute it to Wal-Mart.

“This loss was already happening anyway,” said Long. “The whole face of shopping has changed.  [Now it’s] just a matter of keeping people downtown.”

Nevertheless, Long remained confident that her business would remain competitive: “Our selection is what people need and want.”

Long emphasized that to maintain any local economy, there comes community responsibility,

 “If you want downtown to be downtown, you have to shop here,” she said.