Downtown merchants in a community near Ottawa are concerned the pending arrival of Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Staples and other big box stores could hurt business in the town centre.

"We are somewhat worried," said Joanne Pelletier, owner of Toys and Treasures on Bridge Street, the main road in Carleton Place. "I guess we didn't expect that it would happen this fast."

'We're sort of in a boom right now. I guess the anticipation of a four-lane highway has hyped things up quite a bit.'— Mayor Paul Dulmage

The central street in the town of less than 10,000 about 50 kilometres southwest of Ottawa is already riddled with at least eight empty storefronts.

Meanwhile, at least five extra-large stores are rising at McNeely Avenue and Highway 7 on the edge of town as road crews widen the highway, expanding it to four lanes. The stores are expected to open beginning in the late fall.

Keith Rouble, who owns the Granary, a bulk food store on Bridge Street, and chairs the local business improvement association, said he'd heard rumours that Wal-Mart was coming for years.

"We as a business tried to get ready for them to come by looking at products that I know they don't carry," he said, adding that he has been trying to get customers used to higher-quality products.

Downtown merchants say they need more parking, more consistent store hours and better signage leading people downtown if they are to compete with the new business area on the outskirts.

Mayor Paul Dulmage said he wants to see more specialty shops, restaurants and bars downtown before his term is up three years from now.

But he sees the new commercial construction as a good sign.

"We're sort of in a boom right now," he said. "I guess the anticipation of a four-lane highway has hyped things up quite a bit."

Downtown Carleton Place definitely needs attention, but the town must still welcome stores like Wal-Mart, said Donna O'Donohue, president of the Carleton Place and District Chamber of Commerce.

"These big box stores … lets face it … people shop there," she said. "It's not a bad thing it's coming to town."