"We actually took possession of the contractor on Dec. 10," he said. "We just finished putting in the fixtures and we are getting in the nonperishable items. It takes about a month to stock" a supercenter Cobb said the former store on 23rd was a "division one store," which was a "general merchandise" store but "This is a Supercenter and this has a bakery, a deli and an area for frozen foods and dairy," he said. Package liquor also will be available. "This is a 99 percent new building,"
About 250 associates already have been hired to work at the Panama City store, but the company would look to hire about 25 more people, Cobb said.
Cobb said the Workforce Center at 625 U.S. 231 is now looking for applicants for the upcoming Wal-Mart at Pier Park, which is under construction across from Target. Applicants for either Wal-Mart also can apply online at careers.walmart.com.
The old Wal-Mart on 23rd Street is being reopened on 1/23/12 as a Super Center with 265 associates for the expanded store, which will have household, clothing items and groceries, including fresh produce, meat and deli items. There will also be a garden center.
The reopened store has expanded to include the next door Fashion Bug store.
The Wal-Mart store has opened a temporary hiring center at the Workforce Center, 625 Hwy 231, open 8-5 Mon-Fri. Applications can also be submitted online at: www.careers.walmart.com
Most of the new associates will start work in December to prep the store for its 2013 grand opening. The store manager is Tim Cobb.
The old Wal-Mart, which opened in 1987, was replaced by the large Lynn Haven store which was at the time the 4th largest Wal-Mart in the country.The Panama City Wal-Mart opened at 513 W. 23rd St. and it was closed in October 2009. The city lost out on about $500,000 annually in revenue from sales taxes.There are also locations in Callaway and Panama City Beach, and another Panama City Beach location is under construction near Pier Park just 3/4 of a mile from Nautilus Cove.
Addl. details at: http://www.newsherald.com/news/business/wal-mart-on-23rd-prepares-to-open-1.70091?tc=cr and also
http://www.newsherald.com/news/business/panama-city-wal-mart-opening-in-january-1.67011?tc=cr
