SANTA MONICA (LALATE EXCLUSIVE) – A possible Wal-Mart Santa Monica store location is being pursued quietly, LALATE can report. But where in Santa Monica City is Wal-Mart seeking to open a store? Insiders indicate to news Wal-Mart is seeking to bring a reduced mega store location to the City of Santa Monica and has already targeting one or more potential lots, possibly towards the City’s easterly corridor.

Just days ago, Albertsons shoppers were surprised to learn that the store’s Wilshire location closed to be replaced by Bristol Farms. Albertsons at 3105 Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica closed its doors this month, sending everything into liquidation to make way for Bristol Farms’ quick entry.

In recent months, LALATE has been detailing Wal-Mart’s plans to move into Chinatown, on the tip of Downtown Los Angeles. Wal-Mart is seeking to take over an existing address at the corner of Cesar Chavez and Grand avenues. But that Wal-Mart location has face several, unsuccessful, oppositions.

At the end of last year, the Los Angeles zoning department upheld permits issued to Wal-Mart for the Cesar Chavez location. Wal-Mart spokesman Steven Restivo in a news statement at the time praised the upholding of the Wal-Mart permits. “We look forward to soon opening our doors and providing the community what they have wanted all along: a new choice for their grocery shopping needs”. Restivo added “a clear message to those who seek to block economic development only to serve their own special interests.”

Wal-Mart has yet to pull any permits with the City of Santa Monica or confirm news of a Santa Monica expansion. But sources indicate to LALATE that Wal-Mart would be interested in a reduced full service operation in Santa Monica offering everything from groceries to appliances.