My point is that the tone of that comment suggests that the mentioned businesses are (or should be) somehow more desirable than a Walmart, when the converse is

My point is that the tone of that comment suggests that the mentioned businesses are (or should be) somehow more desirable than a Walmart, when the converse is true. Chiefly, they're not essential and do nothing for those who can't afford to eat out or will go there once a month maybe because they're at work when it's open. A large supermarket with the scale and logistics to offer low prices and long opening hours serves the population at large, not just the affluent. And that's the first thing what you want in a thriving city, otherwise you're just making a theme park.