HERRIN - Don Norrenberns said he doesn't think a Wal-Mart Supercenter would be bad for business, he knows it would be.

The new owner of the Herrin Mad Pricer grocery store said he is very much concerned with talk that Wal-Mart may bring a Supercenter to the community.

"There's no doubt in my mind that it would be damaging to us," Norrenberns said. "Having just bought the store Saturday, naturally I am concerned."

Norrenberns also purchased the Mad Pricer stores in Harrisburg, West Frankfort and Centralia and owns seven others in Southern Illinois.

"It's the small retailers that pay the price," said Norrenberns in reference to the establishment of a Supercenter. "Some chambers of commerce are anti-Wal-Mart and do everything they can to keep Wal-Mart from coming into their community. I know that's pretty much the case in Mascoutah, here and in Nashville."

Cheryl Zapp, executive director of the Nashville Chamber of Commerce, said ultimately it's the city that determines whether a business like Wal-Mart would locate in the community.

"The chamber is pro-existing business," Zapp said. "If we had a Wal-Mart here in Nashville, it would have a dramatic effect on our existing retail businesses." Herrin Mayor Vic Ritter, however, is convinced that a Wal-Mart Supercenter would be good for the community.

"I definitely think it would be a tremendous asset," he said. "It means more jobs - not high-paying jobs, but jobs nonetheless. It would also mean more sales tax for the city and more grants for community organizations."

Ritter said a Supercenter would mean more competition with local businesses such as Kroger and Mad Pricer, which translates to more savings for the consumer.

"Competition. That's what business is founded upon, isn't it? Anything we as a city can do to get the Supercenter here, we will do just as we would for any new business."

Tony Gualdoni, who owns Louie's P&R Market in Herrin, said even though his store is much smaller than a Mad Pricer or Kroger, he would sustain a financial blow should a Supercenter open its doors.

"It would have an effect on me, especially in the beginning," Gualdoni said. "Fortunately, I have a loyal base of customers and hope they would continue to shop here."

John Thornton owns Thornton's Market in Herrin. "I can't say it (Supercenter) wouldn't affect me," he said. "And I can understand why the city would support one because it means more jobs. Quite a few people in town are employed at Wal-mart. But Tony and I can offer something that Wal-Mart can't and that's personalized service. They haven't cracked that door yet. I'd just as soon see Wal-Mart leave town."

Tim McGurk, spokesman for the Kroger grocery chain, said Monday that Kroger chooses not to comment on its competitors.

john.homan@thesouthern.com 618-997-3356 x15807