L.A. council moves to stop Wal-Mart in Chinatown

The Los Angeles City Council is trying to stop retail giant Wal-Mart from expanding into Chinatown.

The council has proposed a temporary ordinance that would prohibit building permits from being issued for new "formula retail" stores -- those that have standardized facades, color schemes, decor, employee uniforms and merchandise.

About a month ago, Wal-Mart announced plans to open a smaller, 33,000-square-foot  store in Chinatown, one of several around the region.

Labor and advocacy groups are opposing the new store, which would open in a vacant, ground-floor commercial space at Cesar Chavez and Grand avenues.

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--David Zahniser and Shan Li

Photo: Shoppers at a Wal-Mart store in North Carolina. Credit: Nicholas Kamm/ AFP/Getty Images