Walmart Neighborhood Market Now Open in Morrisville
Morrisville, NC – After a frantic 4 week push, the new Walmart Neighborhood Market in Morrisville opened on Wednesday June 26, 2013 at the corner of Davis Drive and Morrisville-Carpenter Road.
Walmart took over a space long empty in the shopping center. The new 45,000 square foot grocery is located in a space originally slated years ago for a Winn Dixie that was never built. Half the space had most recently been an ACE Hardware store. When that lease was up, Walmart purchased the building and began the upfit.
Pep Rally
The Grand Opening ceremony began with a prayer of thanks followed by the national anthem and ended with a rousing cheer from the new Walmart employees. The pep rally theme was an interesting way to welcome our newest area business.
At the grand opening Wednesday, town officials welcomed the regional managers, Brad Barritt and Ronny Hayes. Mayor Jackie Holcombe spoke about how “she couldn’t be happier to have the Walmart market here.” She added that residents finally have a market with a walkable option.
Lots of New Hires
Most of the store’s employees are new hires, with only 8 transferred from existing area locations.
Support for Non-Profits
Following the mayor’s speech, the store manager, Maurice Hammonds, proudly presented checks for $1000 each to area non-profits that included: the Boys and Girls Club, Morrisville Innovation Foundation, The Salvation Army of Wake County, The March of Dimes, and the Community of Wake County Schools.
Walmart Neighborhood Market
What can be found at a Walmart Neighborhood Market? In its 45,000 square feet, just about what you would expect at any other area grocer of that size. A full pharmacy, a large fresh produce section, wine and beer, health and beauty, cleaning products and lots of packaged goods. All at the always low Walmart prices. The aisles were lined with special sales bins that touted items marked 88cents and 1.88
This is the second Walmart Neighborhood Market to open in the area. The first took over a long vacant Kroger Grocery store on NC 55. A third market is due to open very soon in another vacant grocery space at the corner of N. Harrison and NW Maynard (formerly a Food Lion). That space is somewhat smaller than either of these two new locations.
What is clear about these new stores is they will give the current grocery scene a run for their money on pricing. With 3 area locations, Walmart will have a big presence and pricing power over the current domination here of Harris Teeter, Lowes and Food Lion.
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Story and photos by Lindsey Chester.
