Wal-Mart Set to Open First Supercenter in Fernley
Community to receive an economic boost from new store opening
FERNLEY, Nev., Feb. 27, 2008 – Customers throughout Fernley have waited anxiously for Supercenter shopping and for the first time ever will have access to Wal-Mart value and convenience in their hometown. The new Wal-Mart Supercenter, located at 1550 E. Newlands Drive, will open its doors at 8 a.m. Wednesday, March 5. In the past, local residents have had to travel to Reno, Fallon or Sparks to experience Supercenter shopping, but the new Fernley Supercenter brings convenience, low prices and new jobs closer to home.
Fernley Mayor Todd Cutler is anticipating big things for this small community with the opening of the new store. “What this store brings to the community is more opportunities for employment,” says Cutler. “But in addition to the new jobs, our residents can now spend their hard-earned money locally.”
“I have always stressed it is important to have a great place to live and to work in the community,” adds Cutler. “Our residents want to work in town. They have found affordable housing but not jobs. Now they have both.”
The Fernley Supercenter will employ approximately 275 associates.
Store to Show Its Support to Local Schools
Store Manager Sarah Messer has worked for Wal-Mart for 18 years, and has seen firsthand the impact a Wal-Mart Supercenter can have on a community such as Fernley.
“Of course we will offer low prices, great service and a wide selection of merchandise,” says Messer. “But one of the main focuses of our store will be giving back to the community through volunteerism and financial assistance. Our schools will be a high priority.”
As a part of the 7:30 a.m. grand opening ceremony, the Fernley store will distribute a total of $18,000 in grants to area organizations, including $11,000 to five local schools. Cottonwood Elementary School, East Valley Elementary School, Fernley Elementary School and Fernley Intermediate School will each receive $2,000 donations. Fernley High School will be the recipient of a $3,000 grant.
“This is wonderful news to us,” says Lyon County School District Superintendent Nat Lommori. “This is a great gesture on behalf of Wal-Mart. It is nice to see a large retailer be a true part of the community and help our schools grow and prosper.” Lommori says it will be up to the individual schools to determine how they choose to spend the grant money.
Additional Grants to Support Red Cross and the Environment
In addition to the $18,000 in community grants, Wal-Mart will also present an $8,000 check to the Red Cross of Northern Nevada. The money will support relief efforts in the Lake Tahoe area which suffered devastating fires, as well as provide support to the recovery efforts in response to January’s Fernley flood.
A grant of $4,000 will also be presented to representatives of the Sunrise Sustainable Resources Group. Formed in 1996, this non-profit organization promotes sustainable living practices that lead to comfortable, earth-friendly lifestyles.
Supercenter Features
Customers throughout the community have waited anxiously for the 160,046-square-foot Wal-Mart Supercenter to open. The store will provide shoppers a one-stop destination to purchase everything from groceries to lawn and garden supplies to high-definition televisions.
The store will feature a full line of groceries including dry and frozen food sections, meat and dairy products, and fresh produce. A full bakery will offer a variety of fresh baked goods and custom cakes, and a delicatessen will provide a wide selection of fresh prepared foods. The store’s general merchandise departments include a full lawn and garden center with drive-through service, health and beauty aids, sporting goods, books, toys, electronics, fine jewelry, apparel and accessories, and an infant section.
For added convenience, a pharmacy, a Wal-Mart Connect Center for wireless phone sales and a one-hour photo lab will also be highlights of the new store. Additional leased space and services include a Subway restaurant and a SmartStyle Family Hair Salon.
Numerous sustainability features including skylights, light-emitting diode (LED) refrigerated case lighting, motion-sensor lighting in the freezer cases, and motion-sensor water faucets and lighting in the restrooms are also highlights of the new store.
$4 Prescriptions to Help Customers Save Money, Live Better
Customers needing to fill prescriptions at the store’s pharmacy will benefit from Wal-Mart’s expanded $4 prescription program. The $4 prescriptions are now available for most commonly treated medical conditions. In fact, Wal-Mart’s program offers a quality prescription product for up to 95 percent of the prescriptions written in the majority of therapeutic categories.
“We anticipate many customers turning to our pharmacy for prescriptions to manage many conditions,” says Messer. “With rising healthcare costs, we want our local residents to know they can come to rely on the savings our pharmacy and prescription program provide.”
Grand Opening Activities Scheduled
The grand opening ceremony will begin at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 5, with members of the American Legion presenting the colors. Students from Fernley High School will perform the national anthem. Following brief comments from store leaders, representatives of the local Chamber of Commerce will cut the ribbon to the new store. Numerous product samples and giveaways from Revlon and Keebler among others will be available throughout grand opening day, and several character appearances will take place.
About Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT)
Every week, millions of customers visit Wal-Mart 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. Wal-Mart (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 $270 million to local communities in the United States. To learn more, visit www.walmartfacts.com, www.walmartstores.com, or www.walmartfoundation.org.
EDITOR’S NOTES
• An invitation-only open house for VIPs, Wal-Mart associates and their families is scheduled for Tuesday, March 4, at 6:30 p.m. Preview tours will be provided and checks will be presented to some of the community organizations this evening. Reporters and photographers are welcome.
• Sarah Messer, store manager, can provide details about the grand opening, offer quotes for interviews and arrange for photo opportunities or preview tours. She can be contacted at 775-575-4832.
* Average wage taken yearly (December 2007). See www.walmartfacts.com for more details.
FACT SHEET
Fernley Wal-Mart Supercenter
Store fast facts
• Location: 1550 E. Newlands Drive, Fernley, Nev.
• 160,046-square-foot Wal-Mart Supercenter
• Grand opening celebration: 7:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 5; doors to open at 8 a.m.
• Store manager: Sarah Messer
Charitable giving
$18,000 in charitable contributions will be provided to several local organizations including:
• City of Fernley Fire Department
• Cottonwood Elementary School
• East Valley Elementary School
• Fernley Elementary School
• Fernley High School
• Fernley High School Booster Club (Back the Track)
• Fernley Intermediate School
• Fernley Youth Council
• Lyon County Sheriff’s Department
• The Red Cross of Northern Nevada will receive a grant in the amount of $8,000.
• A $4,000 grant will be presented to Sunrise Sustainable Resources Group.
Store features
• Full line of groceries, bakery goods, deli foods, frozen foods, meat and dairy products, fresh produce, liquor sales, apparel and accessories, toys, books, infant section, fine jewelry, expanded electronics and home entertainment department, sporting goods, lawn and garden center with drive-through accessibility, health and beauty aids, one-hour photo lab, pharmacy, Wal-Mart Connect Center
• Additionally, leased areas in the store include a SmartStyle Family Hair Salon and a Subway restaurant
• The new Supercenter will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week
• Twelve full-service and eight express check-out lanes
Employment
• The store plans to employ approximately 275 associates.
• The average wage for full-time hourly Wal-Mart associates in Nevada is $11.08 per hour.*
• Store Manager Sarah Messer began her Wal-Mart career in 1990 as an hourly associate in Burlington, Iowa.
• Wal-Mart benefits – available to eligible full- and part-time associates – include healthcare insurance with no lifetime maximum. Wal-Mart also offers a 401(k) plan and profit sharing contributions, whether an associate contributes or not, store discount cards, company performance-based bonuses, stock purchase program and life insurance.
* Average wage taken December 2007. See www.walmartfacts.com for details.
Wal-Mart in Nevada
Click here for more information about Wal-Mart in Nevada.
As of February, Wal-Mart employed 14,572 associates and owned and operated the following facilities in Nevada:
• Supercenters: 25
• Discount Stores: 4
• Neighborhood Markets: 12
• Sam’s Clubs: 7
• Distribution Centers: 1
For more information
• Store manager: Sarah Messer, 775-575-4832
• Wal-Mart information online: www.walmartfacts.com; merchandise sales: www.walmart.com
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