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| Walmart Brings Market-style Store to Kennedy Boulevard
Newest Tampa store celebrates grand opening with $19,000 in local grants | |||
| 13 Oct 2008
, Tampa, Fla.
: Tampa’s newest Walmart Neighborhood Market provides quick, convenient access to low-cost groceries, prescriptions and household products, as well as ongoing charitable support to local nonprofit organizations. As part of its commitment to the community, the store is awarding $19,000 in grants to area organizations during its grand-opening festivities Oct. 15. Doors to the new store will open at 8 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 15, following a 7:30 a.m. ceremony. The store is conveniently located at 1601 W. Kennedy Blvd., near North Rome Avenue. Walmart completely remodeled a space vacated by another grocer, upgrading the exterior and renovating the interior. The retailer also added environmentally friendly fixtures, to reduce energy and water consumption and minimize waste. The Kennedy Boulevard store is the third Walmart Neighborhood Market in Tampa. A Focus on Community Needs Walmart stores nationwide traditionally award grants from the Wal-Mart Foundation at their grand-opening ceremonies to help community groups and charitable organizations. The grants underscore Walmart’s philosophy of operating globally and giving back locally. Associates of the new Tampa store selected seven organizations to receive grants. Metropolitan Ministries will receive $5,000 to support its Outreach Services, including food, clothing, shelter and other vital services to people in need. A $4,000 grant will go to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay. The other grant recipients are the American Cancer Society, American Red Cross, Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay, Child Abuse Council and Centre for Women. “Our store has already developed a relationship with these charitable organizations and others,” said Store Manager David Hamilton. “For example, we partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters to use space in its facility as our hiring center. Our associates are excited about volunteering their time, holding fundraisers and providing grants to make a positive impact in this area.” Members of the local chamber of commerce are also noticing the effects of Walmart’s generosity on the Tampa community. “With the economy in turmoil, we’re seeing more Tampa residents in need than ever before,” said Sue House, membership chair for the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce. “It’s wonderful for Walmart to be so generous during the opening of this store.” Like all Walmart stores, the new store will make contributions throughout the year. Groups interested in learning more about funding from Walmart can contact the store for details or go to www.walmartfoundation.org. Store Features The 61,501 square-foot Walmart Neighborhood Market, which will be open 24 hours a day, has a full line of groceries, including a large produce section with items displayed in wood bins and crates to create the feel of a local farmers’ market. The open-air design of the store’s delicatessen allows customers to see fresh rotisserie chickens cooking throughout the day. The deli also offers pizza and a wide variety of meats, cheeses and prepared foods. Liquor will also be available for purchase. Customers can pick up decorated cakes, freshly made pastries and breads in the bakery. “With our smaller format, our store is perfect for those on the go. The University of Tampa is a few blocks away, and I’m sure we’ll see students running in for a quick bite to eat or last-minute supplies,” Hamilton said. “Whether it’s birthday cakes and decorations, sandwiches or doughnuts for an office party or dinner for the family, our customers will be able to find what they need quickly and easily.” Shoppers will also appreciate the convenience of the store’s pharmacy, along with a full selection of health-related products and a health and beauty area. Additional areas include stationery, paper goods, pet products and hardware items. Customers can also print their own digital photos at the store. Store Provides 115 Local Jobs The Neighborhood Market plans to employ approximately 115 associates. The average wage for full-time hourly Walmart associates in Florida is $11.16 per hour.* “Walmart provides job opportunities and career choices for everyone from seniors looking for supplemental income to young people wanting to gain work experience,” Hamilton said. He started his career with Walmart in 1987 as an hourly associate, collecting carts from the parking lots of the store in Zephyrhills. About Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) Every week, millions of customers visit Walmart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and Sam’s Club locations across America or log on to its online store at www.walmart.com. The company and its foundation are committed to a philosophy of giving back locally. Walmart proudly supports the causes that are important to customers and associates right in their own neighborhoods and last year gave more than $296 million to local communities in the United States. To learn more, visit www.walmartstores.com or www.walmartfoundation.org. |
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