New Wal-Mart Opens with Many WHS Connections
by Madison Cooper photos courtesy of Tracey Franklin
The wait is finally over for Frederick’s new Walmart on 2421 Monocacy Blvd, because it finally opened to the general public on January 25th, 2017.
It seems as if those who live around this surrounding area have been spoiled with all kinds of new shopping centers, but you might be surprised that the possibility of a new store has been in the works for many years prior to this stores launch. The old Wonder Books that used to stand at 2421 Monocacy Blvd had grown tired looking and old until it was torn down for a fresh new store to emerge. So in early 2014 the city Planning Commission approved plans to build a new 190,000 square foot Walmart which was set to open in early 2016. Obviously, some delays occurred during planning as well as construction, but the new store is finally up and ready to open.
Tuesday was technically the the first day it opened, but it was only to select few one of those elite members happened to be Walkerville’s very own Principal, Tracey Franklin, who I got a chance to speak to about the event.
WHS Lion’s Pride: Were there a lot of people there for opening night?
Tracy Franklin: “There were two last night — one was the closed celebration just for their employees and their Wal-Mart associates for special invited guests who Walmart was rewarded with community funding.. I was asked to represent Walkersville because they granted us with a $1500 check towards our technology initiative — Road to Technology. I put the check out here in the front [lobby] on top of the teacher mailboxes. [They also] gave community donations to the Walkersville volunteer Firefighter and Rescue and one of our social work organizations. This morning at 7 a.m. was the official grand opening that had Walmart associates, special guests, they brought a lot of Frederick County affiliates including the Chamber of Commerce, the Mayor of Walkersville, Walkersville and Rescue, Walkerville’s Cheerleaders, our mascot, Frederick Keys Wile E Coyote, as well as other members from businesses around Frederick.”
WHSLP: “How do you think this helps job growth in the area?”
Franklin: “Well today they announced that they’ve brought in over 200 new jobs to the Frederick County Community as well as the Walkersville Community and that’s significant. Just because today alone I saw three Walkerville graduates that have been employed, I even saw a couple current students that are doing work study there. So of those 200 it actually benefited current Walkersville students and some Walkerville graduates.”
WHSLP: “With all the positives there’s also some drawbacks — how do you think it’s going to affect traffic over on that side?”
Franklin: “I think the traffic patterns are going to be incredibly challenging. I think that whole area has already been challenging prior to the Walmart opening, but I think this will make it even more challenging, and there are a few reasons for that. Number one being this is officially the second largest Walmart on the East Coast with over a hundred and eighty-thousand feet. There’s only one Walmart from Maine to Florida that is bigger than this one, so this is not only going to attract Frederick’s community, this is also going to attract a greater community because of the amount of merchandise and the comprehensive shopping that can go on there. They’ve not only have extensive groceries, but also houseware, toys, crafts, etc…So I wouldn’t be surprised to see people coming down from Pennsylvania, West Virginia; you know it’s [bound] to bring in [customers].”
WHSLP: “Do you think that makes it almost better than a Wegmans because of the crowds Walmart may draw?”
Franklin: “Well Walmart is a lot more economically affordable. I do think that it will bring in a lot of people from varying economic status so there is something for everyone. Like today at 7:30am when they cut the blue ribbon and they opened, people were already lined up with their carts ready to go in and shop. One thing that really stuck out to me were some of the things that were said one of which was 75% of the people in management in Walmart, I’m talking Regional Presidents, Regional Managers, Marketing Managers. 75% of them started base level in Walmart so that means your groceries, baggers, check out clients have risen to administrative positions in the company. I didn’t realize that and that says they believe in young people that become employed there that if they do the right things it shows that there’s growth and progress. ”
Overall it seems like the new Walmart is a huge success that will surely continue to bring positivity to everyone within and outside of this community.
