The major remodeling project that began about nine weeks ago at Houston’s Walmart Supercenter officially concluded with a re-grand opening event last Friday (June 28).
Several aspects were included in the project:
•Linoleum and other floor coverings were removed and the original concrete surface was smoothed through a diamond-grinding process and finished.
•New floor coverings were installed in some sections.
•A 15-foot tall “tower” was added near the front of the interior, allowing customers to pick up items ordered online on their own.
Houston mayor Willy Walker stands with Miss Missouri 2019 Simone Esters, left, and Miss Missouri’s Outstanding Teen 2019 Shae Smith.
•The self-checkout area was expanded to feature several more stations, and several traditional checkout lanes were eliminated.
•The art on the walls and signage throughout the store was changed.
•New coolers were installed in several cold food sections.
•The electronics section was rearranged and displays were given a more open look.
•Fixtures throughout the store were upgraded.
•Paint and lettering on the front of the store was changed. Long-time Houston Walmart associated Sheila Walker prepares to cut the ribbon at the end of the store’s re-grand opening event Friday, June 28. Walker was on the staff when Walmart first opened in Houston in 1977.
Store manager Travis Rector said the project was part of a Walmart corporate program in which all stores are remodeled about every seven to 10 years.
“They like to do that to give the stores a fresh look and bring out the new technology and new things we have going,” Rector said. “It’s done to keep customers enticed and interested in what’s going on here.”
Walmart came to Houston in 1977 and opened the Supercenter in 2002. The store now employs about 150 “associates” and Rector has been store manager since 2007. He has seen several changes since then and said he’s a big fan of this latest, biggest change.
“I love it,” Rector said, “and I think our customers are going to enjoy it.”
The Houston Walmart’s phone number is 417-967-3302. Walmart associates, corporate leaders and product mascots perform “The Walmart Shuffle.”