By By Lisa Tindell – news editor
The family is moving, and all 18 members of the original Walmart family are making preparations to move into their new -and bigger - home.
Walmart will be closing the current location at 6 p.m. Tuesday to reopen in a new Supercenter store Wednesday. Hours at the new store will be 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week.
The Supercenter plans to employ approximately 290 associates, including 150 new positions created by the relocation. More than 40 associates have worked at Walmart for more than 10 years, with 18 having been at the Brewton store since its 1990 opening.
“It makes me proud to work for this company where there are unlimited opportunities,” Manager Bill Willis said. “Many associates joined because they know they have the opportunity for a long-lasting career at Walmart.
Like most Walmart store managers, Willis started his career with the retailer as an hourly associate. He joined the company in 1996 as a meat cutter at a Walmart store in Daphne. He has been manager of the Brewton store for more than two years.
The grand opening set for Wednesday at 7:30 will include a ribbon cutting ceremony. The ceremony will be the second such event for Carl Baggett.
The changes in the variety of products offered and the increase of grocery, produce and other fresh foods, is just part of a long list of changes employees will experience with the store opening.
With most of the 18 original employees at Walmart coming into the family as associates, many have taken on department head positions over the course of their career with the company.
Original associates and their positions are: Betty Adkison - shoe department; Liz Lambeth - sporting goods; Saundra Woolen - cashier/smoke shop; Mary Uptagrafft - men's wear/soft lines; Charlean Arrant - men's and boys department manager; Gail Fuqua - general merchandise receiving; Eulene Enfinger - in-stock third shift supervisor; Arden Cooper - crafts; Jackie Parr - lingerie; Sandy Robinson - customer service manager; Bernita Elliott - health and beauty aids; Sharon Collins - personnel manager; Bobbie Ryals - accounting; Deborah Blackmon - stationary/seasonal manager; Theresa Creamer - customer service; Cathy Bailey - office clerk; Harriett Spears - assistant manager No. 1091; Bradley Howell - garden center; Carl Baggett - assistant manager; Mary Jo Diurno - domestics/furniture; and Denise Pettis - Housewares.