Walmart's Chinatown dreams seem to have come true.

Labor, a powerful force in L.A. politics, couldn't overcome the stumbling, bumbling suits at City Hall who decided to outlaw just such a Walmart a day after it got its initial approval from city planning officials. (Of course, it seems possible that the council wanted it this way so it could have its labor support and eat its Walmart food too).

In any case, the news is this: The Walmart is now on-target to open in March. Yep:

City News Service reports that L.A. associate zoning administrator Maya Zaitzevsky gave the Walmart, a smaller version of the chain store that will emphasize groceries, a virtual green light that will likely lead to a March opening.

Labor opposed the store because Walmart is nonunion and L.A. is largely a union town, particularly when it comes to our grocery retailers. Labor also decried what it said was Walmart workers' lack of a “living wage” in a town that frequently rallies around that term.


View Larger Map

Those against the store, including the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, had challenged the city's approval, saying Department of Building and Safety folks failed to conduct a proper environmental review before green lighting the store.

Zaitzevsky said meh, clearing the way for an opening, it would seem. (There's also a lawsuit that has apparently been scuttled by a judge).

The 30,600-square-foot Walmart Neighborhood Mart is planned for the corner of Cesar E. Chavez and Grand avenues.

[@dennisjromero / djromero@laweekly.com / @LAWeeklyNews]

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.