Walmart plans to open two Neighborhood Market stores January in Auburn.
Without any delays, the market at 2047 E. University Drive is expected to open Jan. 13, 2016, and the market at 1810 Shug Jordan Parkway is expected to open Jan. 27, 2016.
Each Walmart Neighborhood Market is approximately 41,000 square feet, or about a quarter of the size of a typical Walmart Supercenter.
"[The market is] geared toward the smaller community,” said Shannon Moser, store manager for the East University Walmart Neighborhood Market.
The markets will have an emphasis on convenience and basics, according to Moser.
A Walmart Neighborhood Market features fresh produce and meats, a deli, a bakery, a pharmacy and basic home goods. The East University Drive Walmart Neighborhood Market will also feature a self-service gas station.
Each of the new locations is estimated to hire approximately 95 full-time and part-time employees.
“Most of our selection will be from the local area,” Moser said.
A temporary hiring center for the new neighborhood markets is located at 2560 Pepperell Corners in Opelika and operates Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
The construction of the Walmart Neighborhood Market at the intersection of East University Drive and Opelika Road coincides with development of the intersection through the City of Auburn’s Renew Opelika Road project.
“Renew Opelika Road is a revitalization and redevelopment plan designed to help encourage reinvestment and new investment to maintain and improve one of Auburn’s most crucial commercial corridors, which was showing some decline," said David Dorton, public affairs director for the City of Auburn. "There are a number of elements involved, including how to improve aesthetics and walkability in the area, and how to encourage development and redevelopment in a positive direction for the future.”
This project involves the addition of road lanes, landscaping changes, changing of light fixtures and sidewalk enhancement.
The Walmart Neighborhood Market being constructed at the intersection of Shug Jordan Parkway and North Donahue will provide a grocery closer to many residential areas.
“We look forward to bringing Auburn its first Walmart Neighborhood Market, and are eager to meet potential applicants as we build our team,” Moser said.
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