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Photo: FLLewis / Media City G -- Burbank Walmart Supercenter at the Empire Center finished and ready for the big opening tomorrow. June 21, 2016

Burbank Walmart Supercenter opens tomorrow

By on Tuesday, June 21, 2016

The Burbank Walmart Supercenter opens tomorrow morning with a ribbon cutting ceremony and some presentations.  The festivities get underway at 7:30 a.m., followed by “presentations of $12,500 in grants from Walmart to local community groups including $5,000 for the Burbank Temporary Aid Center and $2,500 each for the Boys & Girls Club of Burbank & Greater East Valley, the Burbank Police Foundation and the Burbank Community YMCA,” according to a news release. The Supercenter is at 1301 North Victory Place. It took months to convert approximately 143,000 square feet... Read More →

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Photo: Media City G -- Walmart set to open new store in the Empire Center in Burbank April 6, 2016

Burbank Walmart hires more than 300 new associates

By on Wednesday, May 18, 2016

The new Burbank Walmart Supercenter is on track to open next month, according to store manager Panthi Patel. The world’s largest  retailer opened a hiring center a few weeks ago in Burbank. Patel estimates 350 associates have been hired for positions, from cashier to supervisor. In the past, Walmart has been criticized for low wages. During a phone interview today, Patel described the”incredible pay”at Walmart and how the company offers a “pathway to success.” He says “75 per cent of the promotions” are through the ranks and he feels Walmart... Read More →

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Photo: FLLewis / Media City G -- Sign advertises the search for new hires at the Burbank Walmart location April 6, 2016

Burbank Walmart set to open soon – hiring underway

By on Wednesday, April 13, 2016

The converting of the old Great Indoors site into a new Walmart Supercenter is nearly complete in Burbank’s Empire Center. “We currently project opening in June,” according to Delia Garcia, Director of Communications for Walmart. After months of controversy, the remodeling has been steady and uneventful. The Walmart Supercenter will be around 143, 000 square feet and Garcia says it”will offer our Burbank customers the convenience of one-stop shopping for affordable groceries and a broad assortment of general merchandise.” A news release claims Walmart will be filling “approximately 300”... Read More →

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Photo: FLLewis / Media City G -- The Great Indoors site 1301 North Victory Place Burbank February 10, 2015

Walmart moves ahead with a superstore in Burbank

By on Sunday, September 6, 2015

Retail giant, Walmart, is busy converting the old Great Indoors site, at 1301 North Victory Place, into one of its stores. That’s exciting news for some and a reason to go into mourning for others. “The litigation has concluded with respect to Walmart’s permits and we are moving forward with bringing a Walmart Supercenter to our Burbank customers.” Delia Garcia, director of communications for Walmart, said in a statement. The controversial project has been delayed for close to three years by a court battle, which apparently ended quietly... Read More →

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Photo: FLLewis / Media City G -- The Great Indoors site 1301 North Victory Place Burbank February 10, 2015

Reaction to Burbank Walmart appeals court decision

By on Tuesday, April 21, 2015

The site of a controversial Walmart in Burbank will remain vacant for a while longer, despite the ruling last week of a state appeals court saying the city can issue building permits to the giant retailer.  A lawsuit to block the proposed Walmart megastore was filed by Burbank residents Shanna Ingalsbee, Katherine Olson, and Yvette Ziraldo back in spring of 2012. Then in September of 2013, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge, Allan J. Goodman, ordered the city of Burbank to rescind building permits issued to Walmart for the site of the... Read More →

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Photo: FLLewis / Media City G -- The Great Indoors site 1301 North Victory Place Burbank February 10, 2015

Burbank Walmart case headed back to court next week

By on Thursday, February 19, 2015

Walmart is making good on its plans to continue the legal fight to open one of its mega-stores in Burbank. Oral arguments for the case are set for next Thursday, February 26, in the Second District Court of Appeals in Downtown Los Angeles. The retail giant is appealing a decision by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge, Allan J. Goodman, back in September of 2013, which ordered the city of Burbank to rescind building permits issued to Walmart for the site of the old Great Indoors at 1301... Read More →

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Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Site of proposed Walmart 1301 North Victory Place at the Empire Center in Burbank

Walmart still planning a mega store in Burbank

By on Wednesday, February 19, 2014

The Great Indoors site at the Empire Center in Burbank is still vacant and probably will be that way for a while. That doesn’t mean the world’s largest retailer, Walmart, has lost interest in constructing a proposed 143,000 square foot supercenter at 1301 North Victory Place. Not hardly. On November 5, 2013, the Burbank City Council voted 3-2 not to appeal a judge’s ruling, which put the brakes on the project. Council members Gary Bric and Jess Talamantes supported the appeal. Mayor Emily Gabel-Luddy, Councilmen Dr. David Gordon, and Bob... Read More →

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Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Site of proposed Walmart 1301 North Victory Place at the Empire Center in Burbank

Talk of the Town: Burbank buzzing about judge’s ruling against Walmart

By on Tuesday, September 17, 2013

There are issues and controversies Burbank folks can’t stop talking about. The proposed and long-stalled Walmart superstore at the old Great Indoors location on North Victory Place at the Empire Center is one of those hot debates. Right now, B-town is buzzing about the September 4th ruling by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Allan J. Goodman. It’s a tentative decision, but still has shaken up city hall. At the Tuesday, September 10 city council meeting, Burbank City Attorney summed up the ruling this way: “… the city lost... Read More →

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mega phone

Shout-outs and Call-outs: Who got noticed

By on Thursday, July 25, 2013

Shout-outs   Some praise is deserved for the extremely popular and apparently very customer service savvy Porto’s Bakery at Magnolia Boulevard and Hollywood Way in Burbank. As I was leaving the bakery/eatery last Thursday night at closing time, I noticed an employee handing out bags of something at the door. I asked the young lady with the bright smile about the bags. She told me her name is Alejandrina and that  she was explaining to the late comers that the bakery was closed and offering each one a... Read More →

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Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Site of proposed Walmart 1301 North Victory Place at the Empire Center in Burbank

Judge slams the brakes on controversial Walmart project in Burbank

By on Saturday, August 25, 2012

In a move that has angered some while prompting others to cheer, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge has issued a preliminary injunction halting Walmart’s efforts to develop the old site of The Great Indoors on North Victory Place at the Empire Center in Burbank. Judge Robert O’Brien’s order, handed down Thursday August 23, stops the retail giant’s renovation of the site and puts on hold the city’s building permits issued to Walmart. Judge O’Brien reportedly ruled that during a recent hearing the city did not show  the project would... Read More →

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Photo: FLLewis/Media City G --Burbank Mayor Jess Talamantes served as the keynote speaker at the Burbank Coordinating Council meeting in Burbank March 5, 2012

Talk of the town: Burbank City Council’s controversial vote on Walmart

By on Wednesday, March 7, 2012

During the past week, I’ve discovered the Walmart vote by the Burbank City Council last month is still on the minds of a lot of folks. Monday at the Burbank Coordinating Council meeting, keynote speaker, Mayor Jess Talamantes, cheerfully reminded the audience of the 4-to-1 council vote in favor of allowing Walmart to move forward without restrictions or delays in its plans for The Great Indoors site at the Empire Center. Mayor Talamantes said, “They’re going to be issued permits to do what they need to do… to the interior.”... Read More →

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Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Site of proposed Walmart 1301 North Victory Place at the Empire Center in Burbank

Burbank City Council vote on Walmart — was it fixed?

By on Wednesday, February 29, 2012

The Burbank Walmart controversy just keeps growing. Now there are questions about the fairness of that quickie vote taken by the Burbank City Council at its  February 21 meeting, which cleared the way for Walmart to get the permits it will probably  need to renovate the site of The Great Indoors out at the Empire Center.  Despite  protests and hours of emotional speeches by opponents of the project, the council voted 4-to-1 to accept a staff report that dismissed all those protests and concerns.  The lone “no” vote came from Councilwoman Emily Gabel-Luddy. Last night, anti-Walmart forces returned to... Read More →

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Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Burbank Recycle Center 500 South Flower Street Burbank

City Buzz

By on Thursday, December 8, 2011

New operator for Burbank Recycle Center After heated debate at its meeting Tuesday, December 6, the Burbank City Council voted to assign the operating agreement for the controversial  Burbank Recycle Center to Burrtec Waste Industries. The vote was 4-1 with Councilman, Dr. David Gordon, strongly opposing the arrangement. The operation of the Burbank Recycle Center has been under scrutiny for some time and most recently when city officials decided to drop private contractor, Burbank  Recycling, Inc (BRI).  BRI is facing allegations from the state for allegedly cashing in out-of-state beverage containers under the California recycling plan. It was BRI... Read More →

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Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- The future site of a Walmart 1301 North Victory Place in the Empire Center Burbank

Burbank, Walmart, and Black Friday violence

By on Saturday, November 26, 2011

 Burbank is getting a Walmart with dirt cheap prices, questionable labor practices, and the retailer’s notorious Black Friday culture. Last month at the Empire Center, the future home of Burbank’s Walmart, the giant retailer held a promotional event boasting about the benefits its store will bring to the community. However, Burbank residents must realize that the retailer’s massive advertising campaigns, concerned mainly with profits, are going to attract some of those crazed Black Friday shoppers to the new Walmart in B-town. Violence erupted at several Walmarts across the country yesterday and Thanksgiving night.... Read More →

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Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- Stop Walmart in Burbank protesters out front of the site of a planned Walmart at 1301 North victory Place in Burbank October 19, 2011

Walmart event stirs up more controversy

By on Monday, October 24, 2011

“This is far from over”  — that’s the new battle cry from the Stop Walmart in Burbank group, following last Monday’s controversial community open house by Walmart. Instead of the public forum most folks were anticipating, Walmart offered up a promotional event stocked with tables, charts, PR materials, and smiling Walmart executives. The focus –the new Burbank Walmart and how Walmart REALLY is a good neighbor. The Walmart crew swarmed a ground floor section of the old Great Indoors building delivering the company line to residents, the media, and anyone else who dropped... Read More →

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Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- The former site of The Great Indoors at 1301 North Victory Place in the Empire Center Burbank

Walmart community meeting today

By on Monday, October 17, 2011

The long anticipated community meeting with the Walmart is today at 5 p.m. The big retailer is hosting what it calls a “community open house”  at the former site of The Great Indoors, where it intends to open a new Walmart. So what are the plans for this one-stop shopping store?  The Walmart honchos are supposed to reveal those plans at the meeting this evening and answer residents’ questions about the impact their new store will have on the Empire Center and the general area. Recently, Walmart has been circulating a PR... Read More →

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Pro Walmart flyer

Talk of the Town: The Walmart war

By on Thursday, October 13, 2011

This pro-Walmart flyer was e-mailed to me last night.  It’s a slick piece of promotion from the nation’s largest retailer.  As expected, Walmart is  trying to rally support for its upcoming “community open house” at the old location of the Great Indoors, in the Empire Center, Monday, October 17, at 5 p.m. This location is the designated site of a new Walmart. Meanwhile, the “No Walmart in Burbank “group is holding a fundraiser this evening at the Flappers ComedyClub in Downtown Burbank starting at 8 p.m. An evening of comedy... Read More →

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Photo: FLLewis/Media City G -- The Great Indoors at the Empire Center 1301 North Victory Place, Burbank

Talk of the Town: Is Walmart moving to the Media City?

By on Saturday, July 30, 2011

A lot of chatter  these days about Walmart. Is the world’s largest retailer coming to Burbank — bringing along its unsavory baggage of poor labor practices — including a reputation for discriminating against minorities — particularly women? Apparently Walmart has plans to open in Burbank at The Great Indoors location in the Empire Center.  Recently, Walmart bought the site from Sears. The Great Indoors is expected to close this weekend. There are reports Walmart is going to try to head-off the negative reaction and win over the public with a series of community forums to explain itself. Well, I hope residents don’t  fall... Read More →

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