Wal-Mart to open doors March 7

By MARY HALSTRUM, S-T Managing Editor

The store shelves are stocked with merchandise, and the associates are eager with anticipation. Everything's ready for the official Wal-Mart grand opening, which is set for 7:30 a.m. on March 7. Wal-Mart will then open its doors for business at 8 a.m. “We are pleased that Wal-Mart has placed confidence in our area and we are looking forward to their growth in Osceola and the surrounding area,” said Mayor Fred Diehl. “I am excited about their opening.” As part of the grand-opening festivities, the Osceola Wal-Mart will present $18,000 in initial donations to local charitable and civic organizations through Wal-Mart’s community involvement program. The grants include a $5,000 donation to Clarke Community Schools to help start an after-school program. Other recipients are Families of Iowa, the Osceola Chamber-Main Street, City of Osceola Fire Department, City of Osceola Public Library, Clarke County Hospital and the City of Osceola for the community’s Fourth of July celebration. “We are so proud to be part of this community, and we are thrilled that we can help local organizations and bring new jobs and convenience to our local customers,” said John Taylor, store manager. “I feel good. I'm ready to go, and the store looks great. The associates are excited to show the community what they've done.” This is the third Wal-Mart that Taylor, from Waynesville, Mo., has been involved with from the ground up. “We're here for the community, and we'll help this community grow,” Taylor said. “Friday is going to be an awesome day.” Wal-Mart in Osceola currently has 165 full- and part-time employees with more spots to fill, said Taylor. Kathy Garner, Ashley Durnil and Stacie Cartwright, all of Osceola, are Wal-Mart associates. “I'm excited. This will be good for the community,” said Garner, 51. “It's been a lot of hard work, but we do a lot of hootin' and hollerin',” Durnil, 20, said, referring to the Wal-Mart cheer associates do during store meetings. “It's going to be fun,” Cartwright, 20, said about working at Wal-Mart. The new 99,581-square-foot store will include a full line of groceries, bakery goods, deli foods, frozen foods, meat and dairy products, fresh produce, apparel and accessories, fine jewelry, lawn and garden center, health and beauty aids, full line of electronics, pharmacy and complete liquor sales. The store will be open to customers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.