Walmart, long-establised in the nation's suburbs and rural areas, continues to press ahead with its plans to make Chicago its model of urban expansion. The Arkansas-based retail behemoth is moving forward with plans for a long-anticipated supercenter on the city's South Side, and talking with residents in a posh North Side neighborhood about opening a smaller market in Lakeview.

Walmart closed on its purchase of land for a 155,000-square-foot supercenter in the Chatham neighborhood at a price of $10 million for a 13.5 acre parcel. That store is slated to open next year. The retailer also agreed to lease a smaller 10,000-square-foot convenience store location in the Chatham mall.

The future is far less certain on the North Side, where Walmart is moving into unchartered territory. At a meeting with residents yesterday, the retailer was met with anger and skepticism. The proposed plan calls for a 31,000-square-foot store, which would be branded as "Walmart Market." One big unknown: how will the area's alderman, Tom Tunney (44th Ward) will take to the plan. Tunney attended last night's meeting, but said he has not yet made up his mind.