Business & Tech

Walmart Neighborhood Market Opens March 1: Are You Going?

Over 1,200 people applied for 65 jobs at the Altadena store that has sparked mixed local reaction. Do you plan to check it out?

The Walmart Neighborhood Market at Lincoln Avenue and Figueroa Drive will have its grand opening Friday, March 1, Walmart announced in a statement Thursday.

The store, which has elicited mixed response from Altadena residents and businesses, will be celebrating with a ribbon cutting and giveaways.

Food samples from different companies, as well as the Bimbo Bear will be on hand for the opening festivities that begin at 7:30 a.m. The store will open at 8 a.m. after a ribbon cutting.

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Other giveaways, food character appearances and free family-friendly events will happen throughout that weekend.

Some local businesses, particularly those selling goods similar to those that will be found at the new Walmart Neighborhood Market, are among its detractors.

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Williams Perera, who owns Agua Pura Vida on Lincoln Avenue, expressed to Southern California Public Radio in October that since the bulk of what he sells is water, soda and ice and Walmart sells all of that and more, the shop he and his wife opened five years ago could be history. 

Neighbors Building a Better Altadena has also vocally opposed Walmart, saying that the store will hurt jobs since other businesses may close as a result of Walmart opening in the community.

Walmart opened a temporary hiring center in Altadena in December and received over 1,200 applications for 65 jobs being offered at the approximately 28,000-square-foot market.

“I’m excited to see this new Walmart Neighborhood Market open and occupy a building that has been vacant for nearly a decade,” said Altadena Town Council Chair Bernardean Broadous in the Walmart statement. “I believe this Neighborhood Market will offer a positive impact to the Altadena community as it has already created much needed good local jobs and contributed to local charitable organizations.” 

Walmart and the Walmart Foundation will present $6,500 in grants to local organizations such as John Muir High School, Andrew Jackson Elementary School, Mentoring and Partnership for Youth Development (MPYD) and Neighbors Acting Together Helping All (NATHA), Walmart shared.   

Altadena Chamber of Commerce President Ed Meyers echoed support in the release: “This new Walmart Neighborhood Market will offer Altadena residents another affordable and healthy grocery option in their community. Additionally, nearby businesses will also benefit from any increased foot-traffic.”

Do you plan to check out the new Walmart Neighborhood Market when it opens? Why or why not?


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