Onecutanddone—Mayor Bob Apgar and Store Manager Rita Rodriguez cut a ribbon to officially open a completely renovated Wal-Mart Supercenter on the north side of DeLand, as Co-Managers Jimmy Evans and Nick Prizano look on.
BEACON PHOTOS/MARSHA MCLAUGHLIN
After 12 weeks of installing new flooring, replacing and reorienting display fixtures, adding new signs and landscaping, and splashing new coats of paint inside and outside, managers of the Wal-Mart Supercenter on DeLand’s north side Friday officially unveiled their completely renovated store.
Store Manager Rita Rodriguez also presented $1,500 checks to the Boys & Girls Club of Volusia/Flagler Counties and the DeLand Police Department’s Operation Good Cheer, which helps disadvantaged children.
DPD Deputy Chief Randel Henderson said Operation Good Cheer, initiated by officers several years ago, surprises select children with a bicycle and helmet just before Christmas.
“The generous donation received from the local Wal-Mart store demonstrates a strong sense of service to the community,” Henderson told The Beacon later.
Rodriguez, who transferred from a Daytona Beach store about a month before the work began, said the remodeling project represents Wal-Mart’s reinvestment in the store, its customers, and the community. And the store’s associates — the company’s term for employees — also appreciated the final results.
“We’re very proud of what we accomplished, and our associates worked very hard on it,” Rodriguez said. “They take pride in the store, and this has boosted morale for them with an opportunity to work in a ‘new’ store.”
The renovation also brought some additions to the store, Rodriguez added.
A number of temporary hires were made for the renovation, and 35 of them became permanent employees when the work was done, bringing the total workforce to 464 full- and part-timers, according to Rodriguez.
Also, an entire aisle of merchandise was created to focus on the needs and desires of the Latino community, she said.
“We basically turned the store into a store of the community,” said
Rodriguez.
The layout of the store has been improved to enhance the shopper’s experience. Upgrades and reconfigurations were made to the electronics, baby, cosmetic, pet, home-furnishings and housewares areas, including new signs in many areas to help customers quickly find the products they want.
The remodel of the grocery areas provides a new fresh-produce experience and expanded deli, which will feature new hot-meal offerings. Customers can also expect a refreshed customer-service center and pharmacy department.
And while the exterior was given fresh paint, two large murals — one of a mother manatee and her calf, the other a fish near a reef — remain in place to honor DeLand’s mural tradition, Rodriguez said.
“They’re the original paintings,” she said. “They just make the building stand out more.”
Early customer reaction has been positive, Rodriguez said, with some saying the store is beautiful and others complimenting Wal-Mart for doing such a good job.
“We are looking forward to re-introducing our store to the community with expanded offerings and a fresh look. Our everyday low prices will remain the same, but we’re adding greater convenience and a new and improved local grocery shopping experience,” Rodriguez said in a news release.
The Wal-Mart Supercenter at 1699 N. Woodland Blvd. is open 24 hours a day.
- Joe Crews, joe@beacononlinenews.com
