Atlanta, Georgia Local News
Walmart returns to Vine City with Neighborhood Market after 18-month closure
[ad_1]
Walmart has returned to Vine City (835 MLK Jr. Drive) after the store closed following fire damage in December 2022.
Instead of bringing back the old store, the company aimed to bring something new to the Vine City community with a Neighborhood Market. For the first time in its history, Walmart has converted a Supercenter into a unique Neighborhood Market model, which offers affordable, fresh produce, meat and dairy products, bakery and deli items, household supplies, health and beauty aids, and a pharmacy.
The newly reopened store will help meet the needs of the Vine City community, which would otherwise have limited choices for fresh food and pharmacy services.
Mayor Andre Dickens was in attendance as well just as eager about the re-grand opening as the community was. He said when the store closed in Vine City, the community was upset and held a vigil.
“I immediately met with Walmart leadership and worked with them through a variety of options to re-open the store and ensure this community would not remain a food desert,” he said. “I am grateful to Walmart for their commitment to re-invest in our community and join my administration’s efforts to improve the quality of life for our residents.”
The Vine City Neighborhood Market spans 75,000 square feet, nearly double the size of the typical format. This format includes a full-service deli, Money Center, expanded bakery, and Online Pickup and Delivery service.
The new and expanded pharmacy features cooler capacity for larger on-site inventory and five full-service windows. Additionally, a new Health Service Room will offer immunizations, health screenings, consultations, medication therapy management, and other vital services.
Senior Director and Market Manager overseeing the Vine City Walmart, Limark Tucker, said when they committed to rebuilding the location, they knew how important it was to have meaningful discussions with both local officials and members of the community to identify what needs were most important.
“We got to work building a store that met those necessities and we’re thankful for the leadership of the City of Atlanta and Invest Atlanta,” he said. “They have been very supportive of our efforts to provide these vital services in the community, and we will continue to work closely with them throughout this process.”
Vine City residents Taylor Chaney and Davon Jackson said they are forever grateful for Walmart and Mayor Dickens for working diligently to help bring back such an essentially part of the community back in a new form.
“It’s been a minute since we lost Walmart due to the fire and it has been tough because we don’t have much in the area, so it was like a food desert out here, so I’m grateful that there’s something back here to help all of us out in getting fresh food,” Chaney said.
“I got up early this morning to be here because I was so excited to finally be able to shop here again instead of going out my way to shop for my family,” Jackson said.
Additionally, the Neighborhood Market’s reopening demonstrates Walmart’s continued community investment, notably through the creation of 135 jobs. Additionally, the company is making donations totaling $12,500 to the following local causes its associates chose to recognize:
· Atlanta Community Food Bank ($2,000)
· H.O.P.E. Atlanta ($2,000)
· Warrior GMR Foundation ($2,500)
· Bearstrong, Inc. ($2,000)
· H.E.Y. Atlanta ($2,000)
· Hands On Atlanta ($2,000)
For more information about this store, visit Contact Walmart Media Relations (walmart.com)
Related
[ad_2]
Isaiah Singleton
Source link
