Surrounded by longtime Wal-Mart employees, Columbia store manager Ray Matthews cuts the ribbon on the newly remodeled store Friday morning.
The grand opening for the newly remodeled Columbia Wal-Mart was held this morning, and about 100 attended the ceremony, including city and county officials. Wal-Mart Manager Ray Matthews said the changes made to the store were necessary to move forward in the future. Matthews said about 150 people were hired for the remodel project that included rearranging departments to make the store more navigable for the customers, adding a new color scheme and widening aisles. The ceremony this morning included John DeLaFuente singing the National Anthem, Church on Main Pastor Brian Stewart delivering a prayer and longtime Wal-Mart employees were given the honor of standing behind the ribbon as Matthews cut it. In his remarks to the audience, Matthews emphasized Wal-Mart’s charitable giving to the community, saying the store has donated over $15,000 to local causes since February. He noted that in honor of the remodel, Wal-Mart mailed out 5,607 $5 gift cards locally.
About 100 attended the ceremony Friday morning.
Wanda Reeves, Bakery associate, and Betty Powell, Bakery manager, serve up the cake.
Columbia Wal-Mart Manager Ray Matthews addresses the audience.
I hate the new set up at Wal mart. Alot of the isles only one buggy at the time can get thru. They should have left it the way it was
Once they finish putting all the small business owners out of business theyl probably leave it alone. OH OH I forgot they employee a zillion people .Thats because theirs no where else left to get a job. I dought most their dreamed of a 35 hr a week job
Maybe Wal-Mart employees a zillion people, and maybe that’s a good thing. How many of those zillion people enjoy health insurance or other company sponsored benefits? I’m guessing the number is low, and I’m guessing the wages the people make are so low that they qualify for Medicaid. So, is the job creation effort really worth it if the jobs created do nothing more than dump a bunch of people into the “system” that YOU pay for? Nope. I don’t shop at Wal-Mart. Give me a family owned business any day.
Hey tea party people. When was the last time you shopped at Wal-Mart? Actions speak louder than words.