SoWalMart Grand Oening Wednesday June 15th, 2011

[kurt]

• Across from the Donut Hole at U.S. Highway 98 and West Hewett Road.
• It's a prototype at 77,000 square feet (typical Super Walmart is 200,000).
• Layout is different (think Target).
• No automotive facility, outdoor garden center, or vision center.
• 14 aisles for checkout.
• Has a pharmacy.

Are you looking forward to shopping there? Do you think it will hurt local businesses?

[Landlocked]

• No automotive facility, outdoor garden center, or vision center.

I hope the beach canopy and shovel sections are well hidden, WAY in the back corner.

[LuciferSam]

My only question is with it being so small, will it be packed tighter than a can of sardines? To me the parking lot looks small. Will people park on the curb/shoulder/sidewalk/road? I can just picture people circling around the lot waiting for someone to leave so they can get a spot. This is just my impression. I'm looking forward to checking it out.

[joho]

Anyone heard what the hours will be?

The Walmart in Destin use to be open 24-7 in the summertime. I would drive late at night to get my provisions when most people were in bed.
It was quiet and customer service was at it's best. Typically an employee was so bored they'd help you find the items on your list. That's truly the only time to shop at Walmart.

[kurt]

I hope the beach canopy and shovel sections are well hidden, WAY in the back corner.

I saw a quote that 80% of the merchandise would be geared to tourists. I expect you'll see a ton of toys, umbrellas, chairs, tents, etc.

Might be a good time to institute a beach item recycling system.

[bamabeachbum]

Kurt, is this a Wal-Mart Express?

http://www.usatoday.com/money/indust...-express_n.htm

[kurt]

Kurt, is this a Wal-Mart Express?

http://www.usatoday.com/money/indust...-express_n.htm

Don't think so - those look smaller.

[Miss Critter]

I think I read that hours will be 7am - 11pm.

[Alicia Leonard]

What's old is new again. Instead of calling it a prototype, maybe they should just say it's just like their old stores before they got big.

[jodiFL]

This Walmart is considered a "supercenter" just because of a couple of things (like the pharmacy and beach stuff) but is more like the "neighborhood markets" you see in some bigger cities. It is about 40% groceries/produce and only about 4-5 short aisles of beach stuff. The hours will be from 6am to 11pm, unless the demand makes them expand those. And you must admit that the small parking lot looks alot better than one of the big ones. Looks like they spent a ton on landscaping for it.

[bogieman]

Not any more appealing than the Panamaw Ceety Beach Wal-Mart.

[MamaBear]

With the high gasoline prices-- I'm happy to shop there. Maybe Publix will have some competition.

[Douglas the Intrepid]

With the high gasoline prices-- I'm happy to shop there. Maybe Publix will have some competition.

Have you ever attempted to shop for groceries at a Walmart? Publix has absolutely nothing to worry about there. If you shop publix's buy one get one sales you can make out like a bandit while enjoying smiling, pleasant employees in a clean and organized enviroment. ;)

[Miss Kitty]

Anyone camping out to be the first one in?

[Teresa]

Have you ever attempted to shop for groceries at a Walmart? Publix has absolutely nothing to worry about there. If you shop publix's buy one get one sales you can make out like a bandit while enjoying smiling, pleasant employees in a clean and organized enviroment. ;)

AND Publix takes my groceries out and loads it into my car. they always have done this for me when I really needed it, and when I didn't I will never forget!

[DD]

It's a big day in Sowal!

[kurt]

Anyone camping out to be the first one in?

I am standing in the parking lot.

[Lake View Too]

Good, will you pick up a six-pack of Corona and a dozen rolls of toilet paper for me?

[Miss Kitty]

I am standing in the parking lot.

Good, will you pick up a six-pack of Corona and a dozen rolls of toilet paper for me?

[DD]

[kurt]

Good, will you pick up a six-pack of Corona and a dozen rolls of toilet paper for me?

Sir, I believe you need to rephrase that.

"Good, will you pick up a six-pack of PBR and a dozen rolls of buttpaper for me?"

But of course.

[sunspotbaby]

The mister just rode by there. Can't get in the parking lot!

[momof2kids]

I am looking forward to it opening. I will buy my food from Publix - but buy my sundries from Walmart. Plus I won't have to drive toward Destin. That is a huge plus. I will not be going until next week though - hoping the madness settles a little.

[sunspotbaby]

I don't know what's going on, but my husband just called and said there is an ambulance, and a firetruck with lights on at the door. Oh, and thanks to the losers that parked up and down w. hewitt and left the fn shopping carts in the road. I hate it already.

[30ashopper]

The place was packed, I couldn't get through the door. The parking lot was 100% full. Crazy!

[Douglas the Intrepid]

I don't know what's going on, but my husband just called and said there is an ambulance, and a firetruck with lights on at the door. Oh, and thanks to the losers that parked up and down w. hewitt and left the fn shopping carts in the road. I hate it already.

My money is it was Scooterbug with 4 pounds of C4 strapped to her body taking care of business! lol ;)

[jodiFL]

Wish I could find a list of all the donations they gave out at the opening . From what I hear they donated thousands of dollars to organizations from the SWFire dept to the SPICE program at Butler.

[bluemtnrunner]

I had to go to the opening as our kid played the National Anthem with the SWHS band. I could not quite figure out how I wound up in the thick of it. It was an out of body experience for me. If I hadn't left my body it would have run screaming. The mart did give $500 checks to some schools and orgs and $1000 checks to a couple of others. I haven't quite recovered.:p

[Lake View Too]

I guess Kurt forgot my toilet paper...

[sunspotbaby]

My money is it was Scooterbug with 4 pounds of C4 strapped to her body taking care of business! lol ;)

Good one! I hadn't thought of that!

I hope the emergency trucks were just there for the hoopla and no one was hurt.

[Franny]

I don't know what's going on, but my husband just called and said there is an ambulance, and a firetruck with lights on at the door. Oh, and thanks to the losers that parked up and down w. hewitt and left the fn shopping carts in the road. I hate it already.

We went to Walmart, don't ask me why! But the parking lot was much crazier than inside. And the cars that parked on W Hewitt were ticketed according to a manager.

[30A Skunkape]

Have you ever attempted to shop for groceries at a Walmart? Publix has absolutely nothing to worry about there. If you shop publix's buy one get one sales you can make out like a bandit while enjoying smiling, pleasant employees in a clean and organized enviroment. ;)

I hear you, but if you pay attention, Publix BOGOs typically are the same things in a cycle. Don't get me wrong, I take advantage of them when it comes to cereal,bagels and some other stuff. However, Wal-Mart will demolish Publix in my eyes on some other items-for example, we tend to eat about 5 Healthy Choice meals per week. These are NEVER BOGO at Publix, and typically they are about $1.50-$2 cheaper at Wal-Mart than Publix. Being conservative, that is nearly $400 in our budget annually. And honestly, I don't need smiling staff, I know where stuff is and go get it. I welcome the Wal-Mart option.

[30ashopper]

I just received a free $5.00 gift card in the mail from them. :)

[LuciferSam]

You don'r realize how much you're getting screwed by Publix sometimes until you shop at Walmart. It's eye-opening. Not for everything of course. There's some really good stuf that Walmart just doesn't carry. I'll be shopping at both, and now it's great they're very close to each other and local.

[rtc]

Went shopping there this afternoon.
Bought 2 cooked chickens priced at 5.98 were charged 6.98
Were offered two packages of sausage "free" were charged 2.98 for one 3.12 for another.

Stuff happens at startup -- but they weren't very understanding when the problems were pointed out.

[ray]

in fla you get screwed with bogo at publix.in ga you only have to buy 1 item and its 1/2 off. in fla you must buy both items to get the bogo. but many things in bogo kill walmart. such as a-1 steak sause, lean quisine family sized bogo,35 oz box for $3 each,many of the cereals at bogo.many of the home cleaning products are bogo. my favorite store is costco hands down but none near sowal

[seagrover]

I was in Wally World yesterday - in my opinion it is a "fail" - not near the variety as other stores. Now if you want shell s*** with Santa Rosa Beach on it, that is your place. Looks like it is good for peeps that want fishing gear and things like that but I left with several items on my list that I could not find - and maybe that is it, I just couldn't find it. They did have a pizza special that would feed an army for $9.98 - which I hope to have all if it eaten by the 4th of July!

[Andy A]

Do they stock shorts and tee shirts? If so, it is my kind of place.

[Teresa]

We will shop at the new WallyWorld for legos, toys, general supplies now and then. but I do not do groceries there.

[LuciferSam]

I went there yesterday around 8:00 pm. It's absolutely perfect for my day to day things. I didn't buy anything, but I checked it out. It's small and won't take time to get in and out. If I forget something, it's no big deal to drive back again because it's close enough. Things like wiper blades (which I need and you ain't gonna get at Publix), oil filters, ink cartridges, light bulbs, pet food, and of course numerous food items. It's a gem of a store and exceeded my expectations. It was actually quiet and pleasant to be in. Walmart has never been a pleasant experience and I realize now it's largely due to the fact that it takes so long to get there, it takes so long to navigate because it's so big, and it takes so long to check out.

[Lake View Too]

I went there yesterday around 8:00 pm. It's absolutely perfect for my day to day things. I didn't buy anything, but I checked it out. It's small and won't take time to get in and out. If I forget something, it's no big deal to drive back again because it's close enough. Things like wiper blades (which I need and you ain't gonna get at Publix), oil filters, ink cartridges, light bulbs, pet food, and of course numerous food items. It's a gem of a store and exceeded my expectations. It was actually quiet and pleasant to be in. Walmart has never been a pleasant experience and I realize now it's largely due to the fact that it takes so long to get there, it takes so long to navigate because it's so big, and it takes so long to check out.

Just the fact that it has ink cartridges saves the day for me.

[Teresa]

I went there yesterday around 8:00 pm. It's absolutely perfect for my day to day things. I didn't buy anything, but I checked it out. It's small and won't take time to get in and out. If I forget something, it's no big deal to drive back again because it's close enough. Things like wiper blades (which I need and you ain't gonna get at Publix), oil filters, ink cartridges, light bulbs, pet food, and of course numerous food items. It's a gem of a store and exceeded my expectations. It was actually quiet and pleasant to be in. Walmart has never been a pleasant experience and I realize now it's largely due to the fact that it takes so long to get there, it takes so long to navigate because it's so big, and it takes so long to check out.

You are right - part of the reason I avoid Walmart is because its just such an ordeal to get in and out.

Glad its a small one.

[runstarfishrun]

i wonder if all the well to do protesters are gonna shop there with fake wigs and big sunglasses

[runstarfishrun]

now lets work on getting a chic fil a and a wendys closer to the a.....progress baby

[Bell V.]

I abandoned Walmart a long time ago. The lighting and the noise level make me instantly tense. I don't like their produce or their bakery goods and we don't eat a lot of packaged foods or meat -- but back when we were eating meat, Walmart's were the worst. Don't get me started on their seafood. I find the prices at Publix to be competitive with Walmart on the items I buy regularly, and I do like their BOGO specials on Hellmann's, Great Grains cereal, ice cream, peanut butter, tuna, rice, etc. so that we can stock up on staples. I like the Thai market and the Mexican markets too. Those places are CHEAP!

If you're buying a lot of packaged foods and frozen foods or if you have young children and need to get a lot done in one stop, I imagine Walmart will be a welcome addition, but I'm just glad I don't have to go in there anymore!

[Franny]

Just the fact that it has ink cartridges saves the day for me.

That is the best to me too, no more driving so far to buy ink and office supplies!!!!

[Teresa]

Just the fact that it has ink cartridges saves the day for me.

ever heard of online shopping, delivery directly to your doorstep? some things are perfect for online purchasing.

[kurt]

Sorry but if you are not getting ink and office supplies online (and most all your other every day needs) you are wasting time, money, gas, causing yourself unneeded stress, causing more pollution, risking accident ....

Not to mention having to get dressed and putting on makeup, I could go on but the point is that Walmart is a waste where a necessary forest once stood.

[sunspotbaby]

Sorry but if you are not getting ink and office supplies online (and most all your other every day needs) you are wasting time, money, gas, causing yourself unneeded stress, causing more pollution, risking accident ....

Not to mention having to get dressed and putting on makeup, I could go on but the point is that Walmart is a waste where a necessary forest once stood.

Yes, I agree. No telling how this building will affect the neighborhood behind it.

[30A Skunkape]

Sorry but if you are not getting ink and office supplies online (and most all your other every day needs) you are wasting time, money, gas, causing yourself unneeded stress, causing more pollution, risking accident ....
Not to mention having to get dressed and putting on makeup, I could go on but the point is that Walmart is a waste where a necessary forest once stood.

Me and Scooterbug like to shop local! Did the Wal-Mart location hold a forest within the near past? I thought it was simply stuff that grew after the real forest was mowed down years ago. I'm a fan of the cypress trees they planted there but lament more palms.