Walmart Market Opens in August

Nine months after its approval, Snellville's new Walmart Neighborhood Market finally has an official opening date -- August 29.

Walmart officials confirmed the grand opening date this week, and said the 40,600-square-foot store will be among the first Neighborhood Markets in Georgia. It will be located at 2912 West Main Street.

Snellville's location will be the second Walmart market to open in Georgia, said Bill Wertz, a spokesman for the company. A location in Lawrenceville -- at the Bethesda Walk Shopping Center -- is scheduled to open June 25, and will likely be the first, he added. The company also expects to open an Alpharetta location in October.

Wertz said there will be approximately 90 employees at the new Snellville store.

Representatives for Wal-Mart Stores East, LP, for the store in August 2011. A number of concerned citizens came to the meeting in opposition of the giant retailer.

With , residents were concerned about the number of stores, as well traffic, lighting and noise. The other sites in or near Snellville are: two traditional big-box versions located at and and a .

Still, the new Walmart Neighborhood Market will be filling a previously vacant lot and adding a grocery store where there is none in the immediate area.

The first Walmart Neighborhood Market opened in 1998, and there are approximately 170 across the United States, according to information from the company's website. 

The stores offer a shopping experience for customers in need of groceries, pharmaceuticals, and general merchandise. Products and services include, among others: fresh produce, meat and dairy products, frozen foods, dry goods and staples, deli foods, bakery items, pet supplies and a photo center.

Recently, the national retailer also announced that it was dropping its already low grocery prices by $2 billion over two years.