Penitas Walmart Focuses on Local Preferences
New store brings 300 jobs to the Valley PENITAS, Texas, April 25, 2009 – The new Walmart in Penitas will celebrate its grand opening on Wednesday, April 29, offering shoppers a layout and product assortment that is tailored to the local community. The new store will bring approximately 300 jobs to area residents as well as ongoing support to local non-profit organizations. The store is located at 1705 W. Expressway 83, approximately one mile north of the U.S. border with Mexico. Local officials and community leaders will join Walmart representatives to celebrate the store’s opening with a 7 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by an all-day celebration. Penitas Mayor Marcos Ochoa said he is excited to see Walmart open in his town. “One of the immediate benefits of Walmart opening in Penitas is the number of permanent full-time and part-time employment opportunities that will be provided for area residents,” he said. “We have a high unemployment rate in Hidalgo County, and these jobs will allow many families to have a better standard of living.” Store Opening Brings 300 Hometown Jobs
The Penitas Supercenter plans to employ approximately 300 associates upon opening. Most of the positions will be full time, according to store manager Joe Montalvo. The average wage at Walmart for full-time hourly associates in Texas is approximately $11.05 per hour* “Many associates joined because they know they have the opportunity for a long-lasting career at Walmart,” Montalvo said. Like three-fourths of Walmart store management, he started his own career with the company as an hourly associate. He joined the company in 1992, as an overnight stocker at the Walmart in Mission. He is one of 15 of the store’s associates who have worked for Walmart for more than 10 years. Three associates have worked for the company for more than 20 years. Store Designed for Local Tastes
The 24-hour Supercenter is designed to make shopping easy for customers. Lower shelving creates an improved sightline and directional signage on every aisle helps customers find what they are looking for quickly. The layout of the 184,109-square-foot store creates an open shopping environment with wider aisles that contain no product displays. “The layout of the store is easy to navigate, which will save our customers time as they shop for everyday necessities,” Montalvo said. “By grouping the products that our customers most often purchase including health and beauty and pet supplies, we are making one-stop shopping even easier.” As part of Walmart's store-of-the-community program, the store was merchandised to meet the diverse needs of local customers. “We’ve listened to our customers and have designed the store to include the products and services they need and want,” said Montalvo. The store will make fresh corn and flour tortillas and chips daily. The bakery will offer fresh-baked bolillo and pandulce and the produce department will include an expanded selection of tropical fruits, fresh vegetables, chilies and spices. Customers can also pick up bulk packages of specially marinated meat, rice and beans. In addition, the store features a La Flor de Michoacan juice bar that serves local favorites such as aquas frescas, paletas, ice cream and fruit cups. For added convenience, customers will find a Tire & Lube Express specially equipped to handle large recreational vehicles, a pharmacy with two drive-through lanes, a digital photo processing center and a Walmart Connect Center for wireless phone sales. The store will also have a Walmart MoneyCenter, which provides low-cost money services including check cashing, money orders, bill payment and money transfers. Leased areas and services include a DaVi Nails salon, a McDonald’s restaurant, Game Play and a branch of IBC Bank. Store Demonstrates Commitment to Community with $10,000 in Grants
As part of Walmart’s commitment to the communities in which they operate, the new store will provide $10,000 in grants from the Walmart Foundation to local organizations. The La Joya School District will receive a $5,000 grant to help with its reading programs and attendance incentives. The Penitas police and fire departments are also receiving grants. The police department plans to use its grant to purchase bullet-proof vests and other needed equipment. The fire department will use its grant to upgrade its equipment. Ribbon-cutting Celebration 7 a.m., April 29
Community and business leaders will join Walmart associates for a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony at 7 a.m., Wednesday, April 29, and doors to the new store will open at 8 a.m. Father Fernando Gonzales from St. Anthony’s Catholic church will offer a blessing to start the ceremony. Students from the La Joya High School Junior ROTC program will present the colors, and Walmart associate Judy Tanguma will sing the national anthem. Mayor Ochoa will help Montalvo cut the ribbon to the new store and other community and business leaders are expected to attend the festivities. A mariachi band and other local performers will entertain shoppers throughout the day. Other activities will include numerous product samples, character appearances 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. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (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 $296 million to local communities in the United States. More information about Walmart can be found by visiting www.walmartstores.com. Online merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.com. EDITOR’S NOTES - An invitation-only open house for VIPs, Walmart associates and their families is scheduled for Monday, April 27, at 7 p.m. Preview tours will be provided and checks will be presented to representatives from community organizations. Reporters and photographers are welcome.
- Joe Montalvo, store manager, can provide details about the grand opening, offer quotes for interviews and arrange for photo opportunities or tours. He can be reached at 956-580-6840.
STORE FACT SHEET Store facts - Location: 1705 W. Expressway 83, Penitas, Texas
- 184,109-square-foot Walmart
- Store opens at 8 a.m., Wednesday, April 29, after a 7 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony
- Store manager: Joe Montalvo
- Store Hours: Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Store features - Full line of groceries including a bakery, deli and fresh produce.
- Merchandise departments include apparel and accessories, fine jewelry, lawn and garden center, health and beauty aids and an electronics department that offers customers a more interactive and hands-on experience to test new technology.
- Convenience services include a Tire & Lube Express, digital photo processing center, Walmart MoneyCenter and a pharmacy with two drive-through lanes.
- Leased areas and services include a Flor de Michoacan juice bar, DaVi Nails salon, McDonald’s restaurant and a branch of IBC Bank.
Charitable giving - $10,000 in grants from the Walmart Foundation to three area organizations
- City of Penitas Fire Department
- City of Penitas Police Department
- La Joya School District
Employment - The new store will employ approximately 300 associates.
- Fifteen of the store’s associates have worked for Walmart for more than 10 years, including three who have worked for the company for more than 20 years.
- Store Manager Joe Montalvo started his Walmart career in 1992 as an hourly associate, working as an overnight stocker at a store in Mission.
- The average wage at Walmart for full-time hourly associates in Texas is approximately $11.05 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, stock purchase program and life insurance.
* Average wage taken March 2009. See www.walmartstores.com for details. Walmart in Texas - As of April, Walmart employed 158,325 associates and owned and operated the following facilities in Texas:
- Supercenters: 297
- Discount Stores: 41
- Neighborhood Markets: 34
- Sam’s Clubs: 72
- Distribution Centers: 16
See www.walmartfacts.com for more information about Walmart in Texas For more information
• Store manager: Joe Montalvo, 956-580-6840
• Walmart information online: www.walmartstores.com; merchandise sales: www.walmart.com ###
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