Folks in Richmond, Va., it seems, are surprised that St. Louisans aren’t ecstatic over Wachovia’s purchase of A.G. Edwards. The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported over the weekend:

Now it will be home to the second-largest brokerage in the United States. But that hasn’t sunk in yet in St. Louis.

The article quotes Gregory Wingfield, president of the Greater Richmond Partnership, as saying St. Louis “is acting as if it is in mourning.” Wingfield said:

It’s a little bit head-scratching …. Here, we’re licking our wounds, but they are not exactly celebrating in St. Louis.

As I wrote in Sunday’s column, Richmond is likely to bear the brunt of the 4,000 job cuts that Wachovia expects to make, but St. Louis will see layoffs too.

The Richmond reporter also talked to Richard Fleming, president of the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association. He tried to put the deal in perspective, but with a positive spin:

We’re very pleased, and we empathize with Richmond.  It’s never pleasant to lose a business or a headquarters. It’s bittersweet here because of A.G. Edwards’ legacy.