Villagers circled the parking lot, sometimes many times Wednesday, to find a spot and be part of Wal-Mart’s Neighborhood Market opening day.
Located in the Sarasota Plaza off County Road 466A, the new store is designed with convenience for customers in mind.
“It is a great alternative for customers that don’t want to walk the big stores,” said store manager Carrie Brown.
The store is a full-service grocery store with a large produce and health and beauty section.
“We are going to have more and more organic and gluten free items,” said Brown, a 16-year Wal-Mart employee.
Online grocery pick-up shopping is coming soon. Customers will go on-line to make their selections, from any of the 40,000 stocked items, and select a pick-up time for the next day.
“When they arrive, they will park in a designated area and call a special number. Their groceries will be delivered to their car within four minutes, loaded in their car, all at no extra charge,” said Brown. The market also has a full service pharmacy with a drive-thru option.
Villager Andy Hendricks was very happy about the new market.
“I believe in Wal-Mart,” said Hendricks, “I am in a Walmart just about every day picking up what my wife puts on the refrigerator list. This is a really nice store and so convenient to me.”
Ruthie and Paul Willard stopped by just to see what the store was like.
“This store is just the right size and they have nice wide aisles. It is a good set up, we will definitely be back to do some shopping,” said Paul.
Hemingway resident Teddy Marvin was so excited to find her favorite natural red tart cherry spread.
“It is hard to find around here,” said Marvin, “I shop at Wegmans when I am up north in the summer and bring jars with me when I come back down here.” She was also glad to see the ready-to-meals. “That is really what Villagers want,” said Marvin. “Right now they have mostly salads and lunch type meals, if they can get a few more meals you can heat and serve for dinner, they will have it.”
Kathy Christopher purchased flowers among other things she hadn’t really intended to purchase.
“The store is set-up nicely. It is very clean and presents well. It makes you want to shop,” said Christopher indicating the items in her cart.
The Villages Walmart Neighborhood Market will continue their opening celebration this weekend from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7 and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 8. There will be activities for the entire family, including a welcome tent with music, activities for kids and free food samples, including pizza, hot dogs, fresh fruit and Marketside cookies.
The address is 270 Heald Way. Store hours are 6 a.m. to midnight seven days a week.
