If staying in Seagrove...

[Paige]

which WalMart should I go to? The one in Destin or the one in PCB?

[jim45]

which WalMart should I go to? The one in Destin or the one in PCB?

No offense, but why go to either? Is there something you can get at Walmart that you can't get in SoWal?

[Paige]

B/c we are buying supplies for 35 people and it just the economical choice. When it's just me and the family we go to the Publix. Hence, the reason I need to ask the question. I've never been to either Wal Mart and don't know which is closer.

[TooFarTampa]

From Seagrove I think it's kind of a wash. But if the Wal-Mart is in PCB and not Panama City proper, I would guess the PCB one would be quicker, because potentially less traffic going that way on 98.

Can you hit one on the way in?

[kurt]

B/c we are buying supplies for 35 people and it just the economical choice. When it's just me and the family we go to the Publix. Hence, the reason I need to ask the question. I've never been to either Wal Mart and don't know which is closer.

Both are about the same but PCB is usually easier to navigate to and fro. Although go as early as you can for either. Destin has places along the way you might want to stop at.

Once you factor in gas, time, and hassle - Publix is a better choice. I can't imagine prices are much different than WM.

[Smiling JOe]

From Seagrove I think it's kind of a wash. But if the Wal-Mart is in PCB and not Panama City proper, I would guess the PCB one would be quicker, because potentially less traffic going that way on 98.

Can you hit one on the way in?Ditto TFT. If you must, the one in PCB on Middle Beach Rd will be the quickest to get to due to less traffic there than Destin.

[Smiling JOe]

Both are about the same but PCB is usually easier to navigate to and fro. Although go as early as you can for either. Destin has places along the way you might want to stop at.

Once you factor in gas, time, and hassle - Publix is a better choice. I can't imagine prices are much different than WM.For the hassle alone, Publix is much better. Walmart has great prices on sunscreen and a few other items and has many other things to offer over the grocery stores, however, everything you need for the beach is available at reasonable prices in SoWal without having to make the hour and ten minute round trip drive. Whatever you do, if you want to avoid the crowds at Walmart or Publix you better go in the wee hours of the morning or the weekdays.

[JB]

Isn't there a Sam's in PC? Seems to me, if buying supplies for 35 people, bulk buying would be the way to go.

[Paige]

Isn't there a Sam's in PC? Seems to me, if buying supplies for 35 people, bulk buying would be the way to go.


I was just thinking the same thing. Where is the Sam's in PCB?

[aquaticbiology]

there's a sams on 23rd street way east (almost to 231)

to make it worthwhile, go to the wal-mart in pcb after 5pm and have an early dinner while you are there at pompano's (right next door)

order the shrimp pompano for an appetizer

then order the whole grilled pompano with drawn butter and two forks

flip a coin for who gets what

the winner starts at the head and the loser gets to start at the tail

meet in the middle - can be either romantic or an epic battle!

then flip it and toss again

save some snail rolls and honey butter for me

oops, i shouldn't have gone there - 2 more hours to lunch and now i'm hoongry for some pompano in drawn butter!

[lindatat]

Agree completely with SJ & Kurt about Publix. With the exception of the beach toys at the front of the store, I thought their prices were well in line with what I pay here at home. Even purchased a very nice blow dryer there and it was only $16. I don't think it would have been any cheaper at Wal-mart. With the price of gas and the traffic on 98, I wouldn't shop anywhere but Publix unless they didn't have something I needed.

P.S. And they don't even require you to sign up for a frequent shopper card to get sale prices (all the other grocery stores I know of have them.)

[seagrovelover]

If we "have to" we go to the Wally world in PCB, Destin traffic is a nightmare :eek: Hope you have a great vacation !!!!!!!!!! :cool:

[TinyTrailerTandemDogTrot]

In 1992 we honeymooned in Seaside, went to Sams in PCB to stock up on staples... and never left the house!!! :wub:

[Diane4145]

Don't forget about Walmart on 331, around Defuniak, if you're coming southbound! Might be a little congested, but you'll have crowds :( most anywhere, this time of the year! I agree, late night/early morning, are the best! :clap_1: Also, I use http://www.mapquest.com, for everything! It'll provide exact locations, directions, precise mileage and estimated time to get there. http://www.walmart.com Be careful and have a great 4th!which WalMart should I go to? The one in Destin or the one in PCB?

[Smiling JOe]

Mapquest may give directions but it can be deceptive if you are basing the travel time on proximity. For example, usually stores in Ft Walton are closer than Panama City, yet I can typically get to PC more quickly without having to battle as much traffic during the season.

[RiverOtter]

There is a Wallmart or maybe it's a Sam's in Andelusia (sp?). If you come through there on your way down you could stop there.

[Smiling JOe]

I bet if Paige is buying goods for 35 people, she will have to unload the bus before she goes shopping. That is typically why most beach goers don't stop at the one in Defuniak.

[Paige]

You are right, we will have to unload first.

[imasunbum]

The WalMart in PCB is definitely more convenient to Seagrove. That is where I go...but I go extremely early or extremely late. It is usually very crowed.

[seagrovelover]

I bet if Paige is buying goods for 35 people, she will have to unload the bus before she goes shopping. That is typically why most beach goers don't stop at the one in Defuniak.


Bingo......unless you are Ktschris (hee hee) she will put groceries on kids laps or hang them out the window just so she doesn't have to leave the beach and shop later :floor:

[BeachSteelers]

Worst company in America. Might as well eat at Mickey D's everyday as well. Oh wait they got them inside of Walmart. Hooray this is what we should be fightin for... a Walmart in every corner of Walton County. They're great so long as you don't try to compete with them. SHHHH... I think their spies are onto me!

[InletBchDweller]

DO NOT GO TO THE WALMART IN PCB!!!!! I was told that they have lost many many employees. This is after I abandoned a buggy full of stuff. There are only a few (6-8) cashiers and that is including the express lanes. I stood in line the other day for 35 minutes. (I know I am CRAZY) anyway I just went to Kmart by the bridge to get some other items. There is a Sams in PC and if you go that far there is another Walmart that is maybe a 1/2 mile east of there.

[Camp Creek Kid]

DO NOT GO TO THE WALMART IN PCB!!!!! I was told that they have lost many many employees. This is after I abandoned a buggy full of stuff. There are only a few (6-8) cashiers and that is including the express lanes. I stood in line the other day for 35 minutes. (I know I am CRAZY) anyway I just went to Kmart by the bridge to get some other items. There is a Sams in PC and if you go that far there is another Walmart that is maybe a 1/2 mile east of there.

I heard the same thing about the PCB Walmart, and have experienced the same LOOOOng lines. Apparently the manager was fired after working for Walmart of 20 years. Certainly something strange happened there.

Its not worth the trip unless you need something that Publix does not carry. Or go early in the a.m. before 10. Every Walmart is always crowded this time of year. Also, the Sandestin Publix and the Publix by Carillon are much bigger stores than the Watercolor one.

[ShallowsNole]

As far as awards for being crowded go, Publix at Watercolor has been holding its own fairly well the last couple of weekends. I went in for three things yesterday afternoon and came out like :blink: .

But, it was obvious that the back-up was not due to customer service issues...all registers were open, each department was well-manned, etc...it's just summer in Seagrove. :cool:

[audie]

sounds like you guys have the same walmart issues we have her in indiana. i refuse to go there, period. can someone tell me - what is the purpose of putting in 24 checkout lanes if only 3 are gonna be open at a time ?

[goin' coastal]

As far as awards for being crowded go, Publix at Watercolor has been holding its own fairly well the last couple of weekends. I went in for three things yesterday afternoon and came out like :blink: .

But, it was obvious that the back-up was not due to customer service issues...all registers were open, each department was well-manned, etc...it's just summer in Seagrove. :cool:

We were there a few weeks ago and it is dangerous. I was dizzy by the time I left. :blink: I ask a young employee when would be a less busy time to return. He replied, "Winter". Customer service was good. Deli was a nightmare.
Publix at Carillion area is much better!

[SHELLY]

I ask a young employee when would be a less busy time to return. He replied, "Winter"!

:floor: Those clerks at Publix are a stitch!! :floor:

[Paula]

I kept saying to the kids and my husband when we were there last week that things really didn't seem as busy as I thought they'd be based on comments from this board. We live in a college town so SoWal was much less busy even during the peak summer week we were there. And our college town clears out during the summer, but I think we're still busier than SoWal. So, I guess it's perspective. If you live there or grew up there and are used to off season or the way it used to be, it would seem crowded. If you come from a busier place, it may not seem as crowded compared to other vacation areas. It also probably depends on where you are on 30A. I imagine Seagrove and Seaside would be busier, but frankly we didn't think they were too busy either when we drove by those areas.

I tried for two years to see what it was like in peak season so we could tell our guests. Last year we were scheduled to come the week after Dennis, so it wasn't crowded at all. This year, I think we were there at a peak time and we didn't feel it was too crowded at all. We only had to wait once at a restaurant, and the waiter said they were short two staff and that's why the wait was longer than usual. And, as I said, Publix was busy on Saturday night but frankly we bumped a few carts but there wasn't a wait at the checkout counter (maybe one person but I can't remember). I really don't like waiting in line or being in crowds much (I've never been to one of our football games in our college town even though they're a really big deal because it's not worth the crowd or standing in line to me), so I think I'd be particularly sensitive to crowds in SoWal.

Anyway, SoWal seemed like a relatively calm place to visit compared to when we went to Siesta Key once during New Years. I think the July 4th week could be much busier given what I saw on the Bay Bridge when we were leaving.

[SGB]

DO NOT GO TO THE WALMART IN PCB!!!!! I was told that they have lost many many employees. This is after I abandoned a buggy full of stuff. There are only a few (6-8) cashiers and that is including the express lanes. I stood in line the other day for 35 minutes. (I know I am CRAZY) anyway I just went to Kmart by the bridge to get some other items. There is a Sams in PC and if you go that far there is another Walmart that is maybe a 1/2 mile east of there.

A friend told me today that she was at the Walmart in Destin a few days ago and many of their employees walked out too. Apparently they have made many full time employees into part time employess to avoid the benefits cost. They they asked them to work overtime. Everyone walked out. The Publix in Destin has exceed their old record sales numbers as a result.

[peapod1980]

sounds like you guys have the same walmart issues we have her in indiana. i refuse to go there, period. can someone tell me - what is the purpose of putting in 24 checkout lanes if only 3 are gonna be open at a time ?
Excellent question, audie, and so true. We don't shop there, either.

[TreeFrog]

An old friend who lives in western PA inherited the family furniture store from his dad. One day over lunch in a local diner, he overhears 3 guys in ties in the next booth:

Guy 1: So who's the furniture competition here?
Guy 2: Names my friend's store
Guy 1: Oh, they're small time. They'll be out of business in a year.

WalMart opened, and they were...

Meanwhile, over at Target, they sponsor Target House. Easy choice for me.

[ShallowsNole]

Meanwhile, whoever is behind the e-mail forward regarding Target not supporting veterans / salvation army / Santa Claus / (insert charity here) is working overtime. It landed in my yahoo inbox three times this morning, from three different people. :pissed:

I think Wal-Mart is behind it. :lol:

[jdarg]

Meanwhile, whoever is behind the e-mail forward regarding Target not supporting veterans / salvation army / Santa Claus / (insert charity here) is working overtime. It landed in my yahoo inbox three times this morning, from three different people. :pissed:

I think Wal-Mart is behind it. :lol:

They probably are:lolabove: - one of those idiotic urban legends. I get one of these stupid things a week from my mother-in-law. Slap the word "veteran" on it and people believe that it must be true. Her brother is an Air Force Vet and he falls for this crap all the time.

[Franny]

DO NOT GO TO THE WALMART IN PCB!!!!! I was told that they have lost many many employees. This is after I abandoned a buggy full of stuff. There are only a few (6-8) cashiers and that is including the express lanes. I stood in line the other day for 35 minutes. (I know I am CRAZY) anyway I just went to Kmart by the bridge to get some other items. There is a Sams in PC and if you go that far there is another Walmart that is maybe a 1/2 mile east of there.

Totally agree that PCB is much more crowded and..dirty imo. Can't wait for the Target to open! :biggrin:

[seagrover]

I called my friend coming into town Friday and told her whatever she has to do, avoid Publix on Saturday afternoon at all costs..........

So, when I was in Publix Saturday afternoon - :bang: - I was next to someone complaining about "How ridiculous it is to stock Publix on a Saturday afternoon"
If they didn't restock as people empty the shelves, the shelves would be exactly that - empty!!!!

But, I'm NOT going this Saturday -- I swear, I'm really not!!!! :eek:

[aquaticbiology]

things you can only get at a wal-mart supercenter

frozen peas and carrots cut in cubes the same size as the peas (for chinese dishes, especially fried rice and kung pao) and sun dried red chillis (in the mexican section)

brach's bridge mix and whitman's (i think it is whitman's) smores in the gold box

pre-sliced, truly saturated, frozen garlic toast (to be heated on the grill)


put them all into the deep freeze and head for the beach!

[miramargal]

Our lesson learned the hard way..
We went to the Publix in Watercolor last year just before July 4th and I thought my always calms husband would go all road rage. The aisles were too narrow and the vacation-crazed shoppers were psycho. We vowed never to darken that door again. A day later we stopped in the Publix at Sandestin and loved it. It was like night and day....

[peapod1980]

things you can only get at a wal-mart supercenter
24 lanes with only 3 open.