WAL-MART, WESTERVILLE, WORRY.

Plans for retail supercenter heading for a June showdown that some think could end in lawsuits, ballot referendum

Renovator Charles Moon greets neighbors as he walks through Westerville's Uptown neighborhood, about three city blocks of 19th century brick storefronts and tidy sidewalks reborn through restoration.

"The only thing missing is a grocery store and a men's clothing store," Moon says of the business district's needs. He talks as he waves to a passing Ford pickup, but he pauses to greet the mayor. He points to a darkened store.

"They recently had to change their hours because they couldn't get enough help. [ldots] If customers come one day and find you closed, they won't come back."

Fear of losing customers looms large for Moon and others in Westerville as they watch development plans unfold for an area less than 2 miles north of Westervile's 170-year-old business district. It is there that Columbus developer Richard J. Solove, who owns 27 acres at Maxtown Road and North State Street, plans to build a Wal-Mart supercenter store and a retail strip center. …