Wal-Mart Aims to Please Area Shoppers, Attract Travelers to LaurelSupercenter to show commitment to community with initial donation of $29,500 to local charities
LAUREL, Mont., Oct. 17, 2007 – Laurel’s new Wal-Mart Supercenter is truly a part of its community, featuring a rustic, cabin-like façade that meshes well with the city’s scenic beauty. Inside the store, its commitment to the community is further evidenced by low prices, helpful associates and a vast selection of everything from Halloween costumes to housewares. Customers are invited to enjoy the new Supercenter when it opens to the public Wednesday, Oct. 24, after a brief grand opening ceremony at 7:30 a.m. Store Manager Rayellen Johnson says the new Supercenter sign will be visible to those traveling along Interstate 90 and may serve as an impetus for travelers to stop and shop in Laurel. “Laurel is the hub of Montana. It’s right in the middle of everything.” Johnson noted that there’s not an exit that leads directly to the Supercenter, located at 101 Bernhardt Road, so drivers headed to the store must first make their way through town, potentially sampling other businesses and enjoying the city’s rich railroad history. Whether they’re visitors or regulars, Johnson says customers will be welcomed by approximately 300 friendly store associates who are eager to begin their jobs. The new associates have been working hard to get the store ready for customers, stocking the racks, shelves and refrigerators in all the departments throughout the store. With no other large retail outlets in town, Johnson says local residents are already telling her how pleased they’ll be to shop in their own hometown, saving time, gas and money. Community Grants to Support Local Organizations According to Johnson, the Laurel Supercenter will announce $29,500 in donations in celebration of its grand opening. Six area fire departments, four schools and various other local charitable and civic organizations will receive grants. The local YMCA will use the money to start an after-school robotics program. “This grant provides an opportunity for us to get these middle-schoolers off the streets and doing something creative and productive,” said Zada Stamper, local YMCA program director. “It’s such a gift.” The students will build and program the robotics, then enter them into competitions with other students in the program. The Laurel Senior Citizens Center is using its grant money to install a handicapped-accessible door at the front entrance. Another grant recipient, Volunteers of America, will purchase a television to put in the dining room at Magic City Terrace Manner for special movie nights. (See page three for a full list of grant recipients.) Like all Wal-Mart stores, the Laurel store will provide grant dollars throughout the year to help its neighborhood organizations. Area organizations interested in learning more about funding from Wal-Mart or interested in raising money at Wal-Mart stores can contact the store for details, or go to www.walmartfoundation.org. New Supercenter Brings Enhanced Wal-Mart Features, Variety The new 155,000-square-foot Wal-Mart Supercenter features wider aisles and concrete and wood-laminate flooring throughout the store. Easy-to-read interior signage helps shoppers navigate through the store’s more than 30 general merchandise departments and expansive grocery selections. The grocery department offers shoppers a bakery, meat, dairy, fresh produce, a frozen foods section and an expanded organic selection. As a Supercenter, the store also offers customers a large home organization department, an infant section, and an expanded electronics department offering the latest digital cameras, media players, DVD players and high-definition, LCD and plasma televisions. Family apparel, health and beauty aids, household needs, toys, an expanded lawn and garden center, jewelry and shoes are also available at the new store. Other added conveniences of the new store include a pharmacy, a vision center, a one-hour photo lab, a SmartStyle Family Hair Salon, DaVi nail salon, a Subway restaurant, a Wal-Mart Connect Center and beer and wine sales. The Laurel Supercenter will include 15 full-service and six express check-out lanes. It will be open to customers 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Community Invited to Share in Grand Opening Festivities 7:30 a.m., Oct. 24 The store welcomes the community to attend its celebration at 7:30 a.m. on Oct. 24. Vision Center Manager Jason Cook will perform the national anthem and members of Boy Scout Troop 414 will present the colors. Store Manager Rayellen Johnson and new Supercenter associates will cut the ribbon to the store. Additional activities planned during grand opening day include numerous product samples, giveaways and character appearances. Montana Wal-Mart Statistics Click here for more information about Wal-Mart in Montana. As of September 2007, Wal-Mart employed 4,764 associates in the state of Montana and owned and operated the following facilities in the state: • Supercenters: 9 • Discount Stores: 3 • Sam’s Clubs: 1 In the fiscal year ended 2007, Wal-Mart paid more than $7.4 million in state and local taxes in the state of Montana. About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) Every week, more than 127 million 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 • Rayellen Johnson, 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 406-628-3000. FACT SHEET
Laurel Wal-Mart Supercenter Store Fast Facts • Location: 101 Bernhardt Rd., Laurel, Mont. • 155,000-square-foot Wal-Mart Supercenter • Store opens immediately following a 7:30 a.m. ceremony, Wednesday, Oct. 24 • Store manager: Rayellen Johnson Store Features • Departments including family apparel, expanded household organization department, health and beauty aids, household needs, expanded electronics department, toys, infant section, lawn and garden supplies, jewelry and shoes. Other special features: pharmacy, one-hour photo lab, beer and wine sales, Wal-Mart Connect Center, SmartStyle Family Hair Salon, a DaVi nail salon, vision center and a Subway restaurant. • Open to customers 24 hours a day, seven days a week; Fifteen full-service and six express check-out lanes Employment • The store plans to hire 300 associates. • 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, business performance-based bonuses, stock purchase program and life insurance. Charitable Giving $29,500 in charitable contributions to 39 area organizations: • Beartooth Nature Center • Billings Food Bank • Central Montana Search Dogs • City of Billings Fire Department • City of Bridger Fire Department • City of Columbus Fire Department • City of Edgar Fire Department • City of Laurel Ambulance • City of Laurel Fire Department • City of Laurel Police Department • City of Laurel Public Library • City of Molt Fire Department • Community Hope • Easter Seals (Goodwill Northern Rocky Mountain) • Eugene F. Herman Scottish Rite Childhood Language Disorders • Family Service • Habitat for Humanity International • International Association of Lions Clubs • Joliet Emergency Medical Service • Laurel Graff Elementary School • Laurel High School • Laurel Jaycees • Laurel Middle School • Laurel Senior Citizens Center • Laurel West Elementary School • Mental Health Foundation • Montana Chamber of Commerce of Laurel • Montana Rescue Mission • National Multiple Sclerosis Society • Northern Carbon County Health Association (Stillwater Senior Citizens) • Salvation Army • Special K Ranch • Stillwater Senior Citizens Center • Support and Techniques for Empowering People • Volunteers of America (Magic City Terrace) • Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch • Yellowstone County Council on Aging • Young Families Early Head Start • Young Men’s Christian Association of Billings (YMCA) For More Information • Store Manager: Rayellen Johnson, 406-628-3000 # # #
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