[StBernard] Grand Opening of Chalmette Walmart attracts hundreds of visitors on February 3

[Westley Annis]

Grand Opening of Chalmette Walmart attracts hundreds of visitors on February
3

 

Hundreds of Walmart employees, local and state officials and St. Bernard
Parish citizens attended the early morning grand opening of the Chalmette
Walmart. Chalmette Walmart Manager Jim Craddock and Tracy Rosser, senior
vice president and division manager for Walmart greeted the crowds and
thanked them for their support. 

 

Originally opened in 1986, the store moved in June 2005 to its current
location. Two months later on Aug. 29, 2005, the store, along with much of
St. Bernard Parish and the greater New Orleans area, sustained substantial
damage due to Hurricane Katrina. 

 

Local officials are enthusiastic about Walmart's return to St. Bernard
Parish. "We are extremely excited about the much anticipated re-opening of
Walmart. This is important not only for the financial support of the parish
but also the enthusiasm of our residents' shopping convenience," said Parish
President Craig Taffaro Jr.

 

President Taffaro told the crowd he was grateful for everything that Walmart
has done for St. Bernard since Hurricane Katrina. Initially after the storm,
the parking lot was used as a site to help residents with FEMA and
government assistance and volunteer distribution of supplies and
necessities. Then the parking lot housed an emergency medical clinic that
ultimately expanded to a huge temporary medical facility complete with
ancillary services.

 

"This store offers much more than a convenient place to shop for our
customers," said Jim Craddock, store manager. "Walmart's return to Chalmette
is a symbol of this community's resilience and its commitment to recover
after Hurricane Katrina. We are excited about helping rebuild St. Bernard
Parish and being of service to residents in surrounding areas." 

 

The store brings 350 jobs, savings on a full line of groceries, an expected
increase in tax revenue to support the area's economy and ongoing charitable
contributions and support for community projects. The Walmart, located at
8101 W. Judge Perez Drive, opened to customers Wednesday, Feb. 3, following
a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 7:30 a.m. that ended with a second line march
led by the Chalmette High School Band.

 

Fifteen of the store's associates have worked for Walmart for more than 10
years. More than 100 associates who were working at the store prior to
Hurricane Katrina have returned to work at the new store. 

 

The new 174,614-square-foot Walmart has a layout designed to make the
shopping experience more convenient for customers. Walmart aligned the
departments that customers shop most frequently. Walmart combined the
customer service desk, Site-to-Store pick-up location and photo lab in one
area near the entrance. Customers now have easy access to these services, as
well as associates on hand to help meet their needs.

 

As part of Walmart's commitment to the communities in which it operates,
checks totally $15,000 in grants from the Walmart Foundation were presented
during the grand-opening celebration. The grants will support rebuilding and
recovery efforts within St. Bernard Parish, including helping replace
equipment for the parish fire department, sheriff's office, animal control
and library. Recipients also include Chalmette High School and St. Bernard
Middle School.  The First Baptist Church of Chalmette will receive a grant
to support its community food pantry. 

 

About Walmart

Every week, millions of customers visit Walmart stores, 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 (NYSE: WMT) is proud to support
the causes that are important to customers and associates right in their own
neighborhoods, and last year gave more than $378 million to local
communities in the United States. More information about Walmart can be
found by visiting www.walmartstores.com.

 

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