New Wal-Mart Supercenter Sparks Lafayette Square-Area Revitalization
INDIANAPOLIS – Jan. 23, 2007 – A new Wal-Mart Supercenter will open in the Indianapolis Lafayette Square area Wednesday, Jan. 23, rewarding the efforts of the citizen-led Lafayette Square Area Coalition to breathe new life into the neighborhood. In addition to bringing hundreds of new jobs to the area, the store’s team has focused on supporting the community by hiring and training local residents, encouraging local and regional businesses to become suppliers, and partnering with chambers of commerce and other business development organizations.
Wal-Mart chose the Lafayette Square area as the site of one of ten new stores nationwide to participate in the company’s Jobs and Opportunity Zone (JOZ) program, an initiative designed to deepen the company’s involvement in local communities. The new store, located at 4545 Lafayette Road, at the intersection of Lafayette Road and Interstate 65, will be the seventh to participate in the national JOZ program.
“Just by being who they are, Wal-Mart is literally as good an anti-poverty program as we have in this country,” said Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels. “They leave thousands of dollars in the pockets of people who need them most. Other businesses could learn from Wal-Mart’s successful business model by being value driven and taking out costs.”
State Rep. Jeb Bardon recognized the economic importance of the new Wal-Mart store to the Lafayette Square area: “Wal-Mart is a critical component in the redevelopment of the Lafayette Square area. You could feel the energy increasing throughout the construction process and with this grand opening we look forward to a surge of vitality as customers continue to come back to our area. Affordable retail shopping is a key amenity for the area and Wal-Mart fits that bill. Their presence will motivate others to invest in the area.”
“Wal-Mart has been a good neighbor in all of the communities it serves,” Indiana Sen. Mike Delph said. “As a U.S. Army Reserve Captain and active in veterans’ organizations, I truly appreciate the contributions Wal-Mart makes to our men and women in the armed services. I welcome the new Lafayette Road store to our area.”
Jobs and Opportunity Zone Takes Impact Beyond Just Shopping
In communities Wal-Mart has designated Jobs and Opportunities Zones, the impact of new Wal-Mart stores goes beyond new jobs and shopping convenience. “We’re honored to be working alongside local businesses in reestablishing the Lafayette Square area as a shopping destination for this area of Indianapolis,” said Wal-Mart Store Manager Joe Stephenson. “We believe our store will offer our shoppers the chance to save money, so they can live better.” Through the Jobs and Opportunity program Wal-Mart will contribute $50,000 to Indianapolis-area chambers of commerce and community organizations.
The new Supercenter plans to provide 425 jobs, according to Stephenson, who began his Wal-Mart career seven years ago at the North Keystone Avenue Wal-Mart Supercenter in Indianapolis. The average wage at Wal-Mart for full-time associates in Indiana is $10.80 per hour.*
One-Stop Shopping Convenience
The new store features Wal-Mart’s newest design elements. Inside, customers will find stained concrete and hardwood flooring that lead to wider aisles and a customer-friendly layout. The new store also incorporates environmentally-friendly features such as skylights and LED lighting in freezers and coolers to increase energy efficiency.
According to Stephenson, the new 183,484-square-foot store will offer general merchandise departments including health and beauty aids, home décor, fine jewelry, and a full line of accessories and apparel including. In addition, the store offers a market-style produce section, a bakery, a delicatessen, and frozen food, meat, and dairy sections, as well as liquor.
For added convenience, the Supercenter has a vision center, a pharmacy with two drive-through lanes, a portrait studio, a one-hour photo lab, and a Wal-Mart Connect Center. Additional leased space and services include a SmartStyle Family Hair Salon, a Subway restaurant, a Woodforest Bank branch and Simply Eyebrows.
New Store Gives Back Locally
The Lafayette Square area Wal-Mart Supercenter will also contribute $37,000 to local charitable and civic organizations in celebration of its grand opening. Some organizations receiving grants include Youth Service America, Indianapolis Urban League, Indianapolis Police Department, Westview Medical Foundation, and Pike Performing Arts, as well as several local schools. See page three for a full list of grant recipients.
The store will provide grants and fundraising opportunities throughout the year to local organizations. Organizations interested in partnering with Wal-Mart on community efforts can contact the store to inquire about grants, matching grants and opportunities to raise dollars outside the store.
Grand Opening Ceremony Details
The store welcomes the community to attend its grand opening celebration at 7:30 a.m. Jan. 23. Pastor Thomas A. Hill, minister at Healing Streams, will begin the ceremony with an invocation. American Legion Post #249 will present the colors, and the Northwest High School choir will sing the national anthem. Indiana Secrtary of State Todd Rokita, Indiana Supt. of Public Education Suellen Gilroy, a representative from Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard’s office and community leader Mary Clark will assist Wal-Mart associates in cutting the ribbon, officially opening the new store. Other guests include Indiana State Sen. Mike Delph and State Rep. Jeb Bardon. Additional activities planned during the grand opening event include product samples, giveaways and character appearances.
About Wal-Mart Stores (NYSE: WMT)
Every week, millions of customers visit Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, and Sam’s Club locations across America or log on to its online store at www.walmart.com. The company and its Foundation are committed to a philosophy of giving back locally. Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) is proud to support the causes that are important to customers and associates right in their own neighborhoods, and last year gave more than $270 million to local communities in the United States. To learn more, visit www.walmartfacts.com, www.walmartstores.com, or www.walmartfoundation.org.
EDITOR’S NOTES
• An invitation-only open house for VIPs, Wal-Mart associates and their families is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 22, beginning at 6 p.m. Preview tours will be provided and reporters and photographers are welcome.
• Joe Stephenson, store manager, can provide details about the grand opening, offer quotes for interviews and arrange for photo opportunities or preview tours. He can be contacted at 317-328-0325.
FACT SHEET
Indianapolis Wal-Mart Supercenter
Store Fast Facts
• Location: 4545 Lafayette Road, Indianapolis
• 183,484-square-foot Wal-Mart Supercenter
• 7:30 a.m. grand opening ceremony, Wednesday, Jan. 23; doors open at 8 a.m.
• Store manager: Joe Stephenson
Store Features
• Merchandise offerings include family apparel, expanded household organization department, health and beauty aids, household needs, expanded electronics department, toys, infant section, lawn and garden supplies, jewelry and shoes
• Other special features: a vision center, a pharmacy, a portrait studio, a one-hour photo lab, and a Wal-Mart Connect Center
• Additional leased space within the store: a SmartStyle Family Hair Salon, a Subway restaurant, Woodforest Bank branch and Simply Eyebrows
• Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week
• Seventeen full-service and eight express check-out lanes
Employment
• Total planned employment of 426 associates.
• The average wage at Wal-Mart for full-time hourly associates in Indiana is $10.80 per hour.*
• Wal-Mart benefits – available to eligible full- and part-time associates – include healthcare insurance with no lifetime maximum. Wal-Mart also offers a 401(k) plan and profit sharing contributions, whether an associate contributes or not, store discount cards, company performance-based bonuses, stock purchase program and life insurance.
* Average wage taken December 2007. See www.walmartfacts.com for details.
Charitable Giving
$37,000 in charitable contributions to 10 area organizations:
• Indianapolis Police Department
• Indianapolis Fire Department
• Indianapolis Urban League
• MOM Project/Healthy Families (Indiana University)
• Northwest High School
• Pike Performing Arts
• Pike Township Fire Department
• Snack Crossing Elementary School
• Westview Medical Foundation
• Madame Walker Theatre Center "Keep the Dream Alive"
Jobs and Opportunities Funding:
Through the Jobs and Opportunity program Wal-Mart will contribute $50,000 to Indianapolis-area chambers of commerce and community organization including:
• Indiana Business Diversity Council
• Lafayette Square Area Coalition
• Hispanic Business Council
• Indianapolis Black Chamber
• Indianapolis Urban League
• National Association of Women Business Owners – Indianapolis Chapter
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