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Highlands Today

Welcome To Wal-Mart

Jasmina Meyer/Highlands Today

Sheila Lozier, a cashier, organizes new merchandise on Thursday in the clothing department in preparation for the grand opening of the new Wal-Mart in Avon Park.

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By BILL ROGERS

Highlands Today

Published: August 10, 2008

AVON PARK - Its lawn and garden center has a drive-thru loading area for customers picking up plants, stone, mulch and other landscaping supplies.

It has a liquor store and the building's façade is one of several new exteriors the company has introduced.

Those are just some of the noticeable differences shoppers will see at the new Wal-Mart Supercenter, which is scheduled to open Aug. 13 in Avon Park. The store, located at 1041 U.S. 27 N., will hold a grand-opening ceremony at 7:30 a.m. and open its doors to customers at 8 a.m.

"We're very excited to get open; people in the community are excited," said Brian Lemelin, the store's manager.

The 190,000-square-foot store has wide aisles and low-profile displays.

"The signing is much better and user friendly," Lemelin said.

Wal-Mart said in a press release the store's skylights harvest daylight and reduce the amount of energy required to light the store by up to 75 percent daily. LED lighting throughout the store operates 70 percent more efficiently than traditional fluorescent lighting.

Part of the cement used in the concrete flooring is made with recycled materials and the floor's finish reduces the need for chemical cleaners.

Wal-Mart is celebrating the grand opening of the store by contributing $18,000 in grants to several local organizations. That support includes $8,000 to the city of Avon Park to update equipment in its police department and refurbish playing fields and purchase equipment for its parks and recreation department.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Highlands County received a $5,000 grant to assist with Project Learn, its after-school tutoring program. Avon Park High School received a $2,500 grant to upgrade classroom technology, and the First Assembly of God Church received a $2,500 grant to continue its English as a Second Language classes.

At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Rev. John Dumas, pastor of the First Assembly of God Church, will offer the invocation. Members of the Avon Park High School Junior ROTC unit will present the colors, and Rebecca Loikey will sing the national anthem.

Leased areas and services include a SmartStyle Family Hair Salon, a Davi Nails salon and a Subwayrestaurant. A game room will open later, according to Lemelin.

Wal-Mart plans to employ approximately 350 associates, most of who will work full-time and live in Avon Park, Lemelin said.

According to the release from the company, 80 associates have chosen to transfer to the new store from existing Wal-Mart locations. Eight of the store's associates have worked for Wal-Mart for more than 10 years. One has worked for Wal-Mart for more than 20 years.

Nearly 2,000 people applied for jobs at the store.

"The quality of associates is spectacular," Lemelin said.

"The best thing about Wal-Mart is opportunity," he said. "If you have commitment, capability and a little common sense, you can do anything you want."

After retiring from the Air Force, Lemelin joined Wal-Mart. He has worked for the company for seven years as an assistant manager, co-manager and investigator.

The Wal-Mart MoneyCenter will offer check cashing, money orders, bill payment and money transfers

Convenience services include a Tire & Lube Express with three tire bays, four oil bays and two bays for RVs, vision center, a digital photo processing center, Wal-Mart Connect Center and a pharmacy.

The Supercenter will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The liquor store's hours will be different.

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