Posted 10:57 pm Tuesday, November 06, 2012
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Walmart may be moving to old Albertson's site
By AMANDA ROBERSON
KYTX CBS19
KYTX CBS19
After months of rumors and speculation, it looks like a Walmart Neighborhood Market could be moving into the old Albertson's building at Troup Highway and Loop 323 in east Tyler.
The city of Tyler confirmed Monday that Walmart Neighborhood Market applied for a building permit at that location in September.
The application is still under review, but it's a good sign for shoppers and other businesses in that shopping center. Even though there's a Walmart Supercenter less than two miles away, this would offer something different.
After standing vacant almost two years, an anchor store has begun the process of moving into Southpark Shopping Center, filling an almost 80,000 square foot empty space.
“A building permit has been applied for,” said Michael Wilson, city of Tyler development services director. “It's currently under review for a Walmart Neighborhood Market.”
Wilson said that means the building will change its looks. “They're probably going to do some significant renovation to the interior of the building, maybe some to the exterior as well.”
A Walmart Neighborhood Market isn't like the other Walmart super centers in town. It's only a grocery store, and that means convenience for shoppers such as Joy Shoemaker. “It sounds good to me because I'd like to go to a smaller store rather than the big Walmart.”
Shoppers such as Joe Burden hope more grocery shopping options equal lower prices. “They would probably be competitive.”
The city of Tyler confirmed Monday that Walmart Neighborhood Market applied for a building permit at that location in September.
The application is still under review, but it's a good sign for shoppers and other businesses in that shopping center. Even though there's a Walmart Supercenter less than two miles away, this would offer something different.
After standing vacant almost two years, an anchor store has begun the process of moving into Southpark Shopping Center, filling an almost 80,000 square foot empty space.
“A building permit has been applied for,” said Michael Wilson, city of Tyler development services director. “It's currently under review for a Walmart Neighborhood Market.”
Wilson said that means the building will change its looks. “They're probably going to do some significant renovation to the interior of the building, maybe some to the exterior as well.”
A Walmart Neighborhood Market isn't like the other Walmart super centers in town. It's only a grocery store, and that means convenience for shoppers such as Joy Shoemaker. “It sounds good to me because I'd like to go to a smaller store rather than the big Walmart.”
Shoppers such as Joe Burden hope more grocery shopping options equal lower prices. “They would probably be competitive.”
“I think Walmart's as good as any as far as being able to bring the people and generate some traffic through the shopping center,” said Dan Boone, Daniel Boone's restaurant owner and neighbor to the vacant space.
Boone said the shopping center lost tenants when Albertsons moved out, so bringing in a new store will bring back business. “Our only billboard's ourselves and when we get a lot of traffic coming in and out of these stores.”
Walmart neighborhood markets employ on average 80 to 100 people at each store and offer about 28,000 items. Like other Walmarts, the Neighborhood Market stores are open 24 hours a day.
Because the building permit still is being reviewed and negotiated, there's no word when renovations to the new store will begin.
CBS19 tried to confirm the Neighborhood Market with both Walmart and the property leasing group Beer Wells out of Longview. Neither have returned calls.
Boone said the shopping center lost tenants when Albertsons moved out, so bringing in a new store will bring back business. “Our only billboard's ourselves and when we get a lot of traffic coming in and out of these stores.”
Walmart neighborhood markets employ on average 80 to 100 people at each store and offer about 28,000 items. Like other Walmarts, the Neighborhood Market stores are open 24 hours a day.
Because the building permit still is being reviewed and negotiated, there's no word when renovations to the new store will begin.
CBS19 tried to confirm the Neighborhood Market with both Walmart and the property leasing group Beer Wells out of Longview. Neither have returned calls.
