Business & Tech

Update: Mayor Madrid 'Looking Foward to Walmart Coming Into La Mesa'

Arkansas-based retail giant already operates a department store and grocery in Grossmont Center.

Update: Friday, May 11, 5:01 p.m.

Wal-Mart, the retailing giant, confirmed Friday that a Walmart Neighborhood Market would be coming to La Mesa.

The market will be a smaller version of Wal-Mart that mainly focuses on groceries. The location at 8820 Grossmont Blvd. is across a freeway from a full- sized Wal-Mart at the Grossmont Center Mall and down the street from a Ralphs supermarket.

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"I am looking forward to the new Walmart Neighborhood Market coming into La Mesa," said Mayor Art Madrid. "The store will be a welcome addition to our city and will help generate more economic activity for neighboring businesses."

Organized labor has opposed new Wal-Mart stores, complaining about low wages and benefits for employees and the impact on smaller stores in the area.

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Protests erupted recently at a site for another market location in San Diego's Sherman Heights neighborhood over demolition of a landmark building, but the work was allowed to continue by judges who ruled it was necessary for seismic improvements.

Wal-Mart did not say when the 39,000-square-foot La Mesa store would open.

– City News Service contributed to this report.

Original Story:

The Ralphs on Grossmont Boulevard is getting some nearby competition this summer—a Walmart grocery and produce outlet, contractors say.

A subcontractor for builder HBI Construction—which has a 36-foot office trailer on site—told Patch on Thursday that he has been installing plumbing for about 10 days at the venue, 8810 Grossmont Blvd. 

An employee of Newport Beach-based HBI contacted by phone said work converting the long-closed Circuit City store has been under way for two months, but he directed all other questions to Walmart headquarters in Arkansas.

Walmart sells groceries at its current location on the south side of Grossmont Center. The new site, east of the old Linens N Things and just west of Drew Ford, will include freezers and could be done in July, the plumber said.

In the Northern California town of San Ramon, east of Oakland, a similar Walmart Neighborhood Market is set to open this fall—said to be one of 14 such groceries the giant retailer plans to open in California.

A Walmart Neighborhood Market also is under construction in the old San Diego Farmers Market building on Imperial Avenue between 21st and 22nd streets.

In Dunedin, FL, a Walmart Neighborhood Market opened to mixed reaction in October 2011, reported Dunedin Patch.

Mary Anne Ellis commented on Dunedin Patch’s Facebook page: “I think it's kinda sad that Dunedin has allowed Walmart to move in. The small town atmosphere and small town businesses are what make Dunedin such a beautiful place. We should not bring in these large corporations into this lovely community.”

Others responded more enthusiastically, such as Veronica Shaner, who posted:  “I can't wait!!!!”

“Currently, there are 168 [Walmart Neighborhood Markets] nationwide, with new Northern California stores planned in Pleasanton, Hayward and the Sacramento area,” reported San Ramon Patch.

The Walmart website described its new chain of groceries:

Walmart Neighborhood Markets offer a quick and convenient shopping experience for customers who need groceries, pharmaceuticals, and general merchandise all at our famous Every Day Low Prices.

First opened in 1998, there are now 168 Walmart Neighborhood Markets, each employing about 95 associates. A typical store is about 42,000 square feet.

Walmart Neighborhood Markets feature a wide variety of products, including:

  • Fresh produce
  • Meat and Dairy products
  • Frozen foods
  • Dry goods and staples
  • Health and beauty aids
  • Stationery and paper goods
  • Drive-through pharmacy
  • Deli foods
  • Bakery items
  • Canned and packaged goods
  • Condiments and spices
  • Pet supplies
  • Household supplies
  • One-hour photo center


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