How OKC Is Consuming Rural Oklahoma

[Mr. Blue Sky]

Probably online shopping, led by Amazon, does as much to discourage commercial development in towns, such as Tuttle. On additional thought, I think my point would apply to all towns in Oklahoma.

So true, especially in the last 15-20 years. But the real bulldozer of small town commerce was Walmart. Towns used to have a hardware store, toy store, bookstore, dress shop, mens shop, everything you can think of. Walmart systematically destroyed most all of that with their stores becoming all those things above under one roof. Even worse, after ruining all those shops, sometimes underperforming Walmart’s were closed, leaving many small towns with little to no retail at all. Amazon comes along and serves as the “new Walmart” and is either savior or barrier to the return of small town retail.

[Bunty]

So true, especially in the last 15-20 years. But the real bulldozer of small town commerce was Walmart. Towns used to have a hardware store, toy store, bookstore, dress shop, mens shop, everything you can think of. Walmart systematically destroyed most all of that with their stores becoming all those things above under one roof. Even worse, after ruining all those shops, sometimes underperforming Walmart’s were closed, leaving many small towns with little to no retail at all. Amazon comes along and serves as the “new Walmart” and is either savior or barrier to the return of small town retail.

A not altogether good exception to the rule was in Stillwater how a strip mall was built next to the Perkins Rd. Wal-Mart with seldom any vacancies. Another strip mall nearby as well. But then all that is of no help for downtown. Other strip malls built didn't help downtown either. So downtown largely tries to survive off of what Wal-Mart doesn't get involved in, meaning used merchandise stores, bars and restaurants.