First Supercenter Offers New Castle County More Opportunities to Save
Middletown Walmart brings more than 600 new jobs to the community MIDDLETOWN, Del., Oct. 23, 2008 – The first Walmart Supercenter in New Castle County opens Wednesday, Oct. 29, bringing economic benefits and one-stop shopping convenience to Middletown and the surrounding area. The new Supercenter at 705 Middletown Warwick Rd. will increase local sales tax revenue, create over 600 new jobs and offer shoppers savings on groceries and everyday essentials all under one roof. Community leaders expect the new store to draw shoppers from Maryland and Pennsylvania and provide a catalyst for continued growth in the area. “We feel fortunate to have formed a partnership with Walmart and are ecstatic about the 600-plus jobs it has brought to our town and the surrounding area,” said Middletown Mayor Ken Branner. “We look forward to all of the positive, continuing efforts we will have together in the future.” Supercenter Provides Career Opportunities
The Supercenter will employ approximately 675 associates, according to Store Manager Edna Hughes, including 40 who are transferring to Middletown from other stores. “We are proud that our Supercenter is creating a positive impact on the local economy, and we have hired a great group of associates who are ready to serve their customers and community,” said Hughes. Like most Walmart managers, Hughes started her career as an hourly associate. She joined the company 15 years ago as a cashier in Dover. One-Stop Shopping Convenience, Time-Saving Services
Walmart carefully designed the 24-hour Middletown Supercenter to offer the community a convenient, one-stop shopping destination with low prices on everyday essentials. The 214,579-square-foot Supercenter offers 30 general merchandise departments and a full line of groceries, including a full-service deli offering freshly prepared meals and side dishes, an array of locally grown fresh fruit and vegetables in the produce department, a bakery featuring fresh baked breads and artisan cakes, a dairy section, and a seafood department. Time-saving features and services include a branch of Wood Forest Bank, a one-hour photo department, a lawn and garden center with drive-up loading, a SmartStyle Family Hair Salon and a DaVi Nails salon. The store features the area’s first drive-through pharmacy allowing customers to drop off or pick up prescriptions without having to leave their car. The store also features a Walmart MoneyCenter to assist customers with convenient access to low-cost money services, including check cashing, money orders, bill payment and money transfers. With Walmart’s every day low pricing, customers can save 25 to 50 percent or more over other leading money service providers. To help customers get a jump on their holiday shopping, the store will feature a Christmas Shop where customers can meet all their holiday needs at affordable prices. Budget-conscience shoppers can find Christmas trees, ornaments, wrapping paper, lights and outside decor. “We believe our customers will be looking to stretch their dollars more than ever this holiday season,” said Hughes. “Our new store will provide affordable and convenient solutions to help customers meet their Christmas shopping needs.” A Commitment to Community
As part of the new store’s commitment to the community, the Middletown Walmart Supercenter will distribute $18,000 in grants from the Walmart Foundation to six local organizations. One of the grant recipients, the Food Bank of Delaware, will receive $5,000. “The Food Bank of Delaware is grateful for the ongoing relationship we have with Walmart, and we’re excited about the new Supercenter that will benefit the people right here in Middletown. This donation comes at an important time with the holidays quickly approaching and many people in need,” said Anne Killeen, development director at the Food Bank of Delaware. “We will now be able to extend our reach and help more people receive holiday meals thanks to this generous donation.” Supercenter Includes Environmentally-friendly Features
Walmart took extra care to incorporate key architectural and green space features to the all-brick exterior façade, including a berm at the front of the property that blends into the surrounding landscape. The store’s roof features dormers, daylight-harvesting skylights, architectural shingles and crown moldings, as well as an exterior tricolor neutral paint scheme. The store planted hundreds of new shrubs and trees throughout the property to complement the area’s landscaping. “Drivers traveling along I-71 from Maryland or those coming from the north will certainly notice that this Walmart is distinctly different than any other store in the area,” said Hughes. The store was built to include energy-efficient technology and environmentally-friendly features to reduce energy and water consumption. The restrooms have technology to regulate water flow in the sinks and the store’s concrete floors were made with recycled materials. The store also uses LED lighting, dry photo processing in the photo department and a state-of the-art recycling center. Grand-Opening Celebration Details
Hughes, Mayor Branner and members of the Middletown Chamber of Commerce will join other local dignitaries for the 7:30 a.m. grand-opening celebration. Activities include character appearances, product samples and giveaways. About Walmart 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 communities across the United States. To learn more, visit www.walmartfacts.com, www.walmartstores.com or www.walmartfoundation.org. EDITOR’S NOTES - Store Manager Edna Hughes is available for interviews about the grand opening and can arrange for photo opportunities or preview tours. She can be contacted at 302-449-1254.
- Statements and quotes on behalf of Walmart should not be obtained from or attributed to agency employees.
- Walmart information online: www.walmartstores.com; merchandise sales: www.walmart.com
- The terms “Walmart” and “Walmart Stores” refer to the corporate entity. “Walmart,” expressed as one word and without hyphenation, refers to the brand name of the company’s U.S. operations. This distinction came in June after the company announced the introduction of a new logo for its U.S. store operations.
FACT SHEET
Middletown Walmart Supercenter Store Fast Facts - Location: 705 Middletown Warwick Rd.
- 214,579-square-foot Walmart Supercenter
- 7:30 a.m. grand-opening ceremony, Wednesday, Oct. 29
- Store manager: Edna Hughes
Store Features - Full grocery department featuring a bakery, a delicatessen, meat, dairy, fresh produce, seafood
- 30 departments featuring family apparel, health and beauty aids, household needs, expanded electronics department, toys, infant section, expanded lawn and garden center, jewelry and shoes
- Other special features: a pharmacy with one drive-through lane, a one-hour photo lab, a Family Fun Center and a Walmart Connect Center for cellular phone sales. Additional leased space and services include a MoneyCenter, a branch of Wood Forest Bank, a McDonald’s restaurant, a SmartStyle Family Hair Salon and a DaVi Nails salon.
- Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Employment - The store plans to employ approximately 675 associates – including 635 new hires and 40 associates that transferred from area stores
- The average wage at Walmart for full-time hourly associates in Delaware is $10.69 per hour*
- Walmart benefits – available to eligible full- and part-time associates – include health insurance with no lifetime maximum. Walmart also offers a 401(k) plan and profit sharing contributions, whether an associate contributes or not, store discount cards, company performance-based bonuses, discounted stock purchase program and life insurance.
* Average wage taken August 2008. See www.walmartfacts.com for details. Charitable Giving
$18,000 in grants from the Walmart Foundation will be given to six area organizations including: - Food Bank of Delaware
- Middletown Fire Department
- Middletown Police Department
- Middletown-Odessa-Townsend Senior Center
For More Information
• Store Manager: Edna Hughes, 302-449-1254 # # #
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