Franklin Walmart celebrates remodeling
Published 9:00 am Thursday, November 7, 2024
The ribbon-cutting celebration at the Franklin Walmart Supercenter’s grand reopening ceremony on Friday, Nov. 1, includes associates with more than 20 years of experience, store and company leaders, coaches, Market Manager Jade White, Market Team 314, Franklin Mayor Robert “Bobby” Cutchins, Ward 3 Councilman Gregory McLemore, and representatives of the Franklin-Southampton Area Chamber of Commerce and Franklin Southampton Economic Development Inc., along with other community leaders. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
This brand new mural greets Franklin Walmart customers coming through the store’s grocery entrance. A result of the Walmart Community Mural Program, the mural celebrates the Franklin community, featuring images of historic downtown Franklin and Barrett’s Landing Park. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Franklin Walmart Supercenter Store Manager Zach Barnes introduces his management team at the grand reopening ceremony on Friday, Nov. 1. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Highlighting the Franklin Walmart’s community grant of $5,000 to support the Franklin-based Juneteenth Cultural Celebration hosted by Amun Ra Inc. are, from left, Walmart People Lead Wanda Hoggard, Walmart Market Manager Jade White, Amun Ra President and Ward 3 Councilman Gregory McLemore and Franklin Walmart Store Manager Zach Barnes. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Highlighting the Franklin Walmart’s community grant of $1,000 to support Franklin Fire and Rescue are, from left, Walmart People Lead Wanda Hoggard, Walmart Market Manager Jade White, Franklin Chief of Emergency Services Vernie Francis and Franklin Walmart Store Manager Zach Barnes. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Walmart officials and members of the Franklin Police Department highlight the Franklin Walmart’s community grant of $1,000 to support the FPD. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
From left, Walmart People Lead Wanda Hoggard, Walmart Market Manager Jade White and Franklin Walmart Store Manager Zach Barnes highlight the Franklin Walmart’s community grant of $1,500 to support Divine Love, a local nonprofit organization. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
The Franklin High School Marching Stampede performs for the crowd on hand at the grand reopening ceremony of the Walmart Supercenter in Franklin. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
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The Franklin Walmart Supercenter at 1500 Armory Drive held a grand reopening event on Friday morning, Nov. 1, to celebrate the completion of remodeling designed to provide improved customer experiences and features.
A Walmart news release noted that among the improvements are a new Pharmacy and Vision Center and additional parking lanes for Online Pickup and Delivery.
A significant crowd of people attended the grand reopening event, including Franklin Mayor Robert “Bobby” Cutchins, Ward 3 Councilman Gregory McLemore, representatives from Franklin-Southampton Area Chamber of Commerce, Franklin Southampton Economic Development Inc., Franklin Fire and Rescue, Franklin Police Department, Walmart leaders, business partners and longtime associates and other members of the community.
The event featured remarks from Walmart and city officials, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, the unveiling of a Franklin-themed mural and a community celebration with vendors and a performance by the Franklin High School Marching Stampede.
WHAT THE REMODELING BRINGS TO FRANKLIN
Zach Barnes, store manager of the Franklin Walmart, noted during the event that the remodeling project was a multi-million dollar investment “to make our customers’ shopping experience the absolute best.”
The Walmart news release stated that the store’s transformation is designed to create a modernized and improved customer shopping experience.
“A new Pharmacy and Vision Center were added to better meet the health care needs of the Franklin community,” officials stated in the release. “Walmart created a Vision Center experience designed around the customer that is convenient, comfortable and affordable that offers an assortment of quality eyeglasses and sunglasses with prescription lenses. Additionally, by expanding the number of parking lanes for Online Pickup and Delivery, more customers can save time and money by shopping when and where they want.”
The release noted that other improved store features include the following:
- A new apparel department;
- The addition of new cosmetic and seasonal destinations; and
- An expanded housewares department.
“The store also unveiled its new mural, which is an eye-catching piece celebrating the Franklin community featuring images of historic downtown Franklin and Barrett’s Landing Park,” officials stated in the release.
They also noted that upgrades to the Franklin Walmart are part of Walmart’s Signature Experience, which seeks to inspire customers and provide them with a seamless, high-quality shopping experience.
“Upgraded features include improved store layouts, expanded product selections and innovative technology allowing Walmart associates to better support customers and make shopping more convenient and enjoyable,” officials stated.
During the grand reopening event, Barnes said, “I’m excited about the updates and everything in the store, from the new brands in apparel, new items in the houseware departments, new lighting and paint, and I’m very excited about a new — brand new — community-inspired mural as soon as you walk in the grocery door, dedicated to the city of Franklin.”
Barnes said the store also features updated signage and fixtures.
EXPRESSIONS OF GRATITUDE
Barnes opened his remarks about the remodeling by stating, “So much hard work has gone into this project, and I have to thank so many people, because I couldn’t do it by myself.”
“First, our associates,” he said. “Every single one of our associates who worked in the store, for keeping the store running, deserves our gratitude and thanks because they show up every single day to serve our customers and continue to do that.”
He next thanked associates, leaders and store managers from out of town.
“I thank you for being here today with us to support us, and thank you for sending help when needed,” he said.
He expressed gratitude for the teams from Walmart Realty Execution and Randolph Construction.
“Thank you for the work you did, the support and the guidance through this entire project,” he said. “It really, really is inspiring to see hard-working individuals from the realty Walmart side and the construction side — they meet tight deadlines, and they turned the store back over in a timely manner for the customers, for the associates, and I’m so thankful to have a great team and its partners.”
He thanked local suppliers and business partners for regularly stocking the store’s shelves and for also being at the reopening event.
Barnes highlighted Walmart Market Manager Jade White and the Market 314 Team, thanking them for their support throughout the remodeling project.
“I want to thank our customers for their patronage,” Barnes said. “We wouldn’t be here today and we wouldn’t have a job to do without our customers showing up daily, and I promise that we will do everything in our power when you walk through the doors to deliver a great shopping experience and continue, in the future, to deliver for you.”
Barnes recognized local elected officials, police, first responders, the Chamber of Commerce and all other community leaders.
“I say thank you again for being here and to everyone that made it possible, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for Store 2705, Franklin, Virginia, Walmart,” he said.
Cutchins briefly delivered some remarks, thanking Walmart for investing back in the community and for continuing to be in the city, serving its citizens.
“On behalf of the City Council, city manager and staff, we really appreciate all you do,” he said. “What you give back to the community is just such a phenomenal help to everything here, the food banks and everything, so thank you again for that.”
He wished the Franklin Walmart many more years of success.
“Like I always said when I was in business, the best thing about being in business is when you’re in it long enough that you can continue to make things better,” he said, “and that’s what you guys are doing, so thank you much.”
COMMUNITY GRANTS
Barnes later helped highlight how the Franklin Walmart has given back to the community through community grants. The store contributed $5,000 to the Juneteenth Cultural Celebration, which is a Franklin-based event hosted by Amun Ra Inc., a nonprofit organization led by McLemore.
The Franklin Walmart also contributed $1,000 to Franklin Fire and Rescue; $1,000 to the Franklin Police Department; and $1,500 to Divine Love, a local nonprofit organization.
