In the U.S. Wal-Mart opens a new mega-store every two business days. This film follows events in Ashland, VA, over a one-year period, from the first stormy public hearing that galvanizes residents' opposition until the Town Council takes a final vote on the proposed Wal-Mart Store. Arguments for the store include increased tax revenues, low prices for shoppers and new jobs. Those adamantly opposed, including local business owners and transplants who came to Ashland for its quality of life, feel the store will destroy the small-town atmosphere, increase traffic and provide only low-end minimum-wage jobs. Hot debates ensue; says town historian Rosie Shalff, who narrates the film: "The town has never faced an issue that has stirred up as much emotion as this one." The film does not single out Wal-Mart, but rather highlights its position as the icon of the Big Box industry. While offering a critical view of this industry, all viewpoints on this controversial issue are presented fairly. "Store Wars" is ultimately a parable of our times about a determined group of citizens battling the relentless expansion of a global corporation; a story for the age of globalization.