WESTSIDE — Walmart’s latest store format will be springing up in Prairie Grove, Gravette and Gentry.
The retailer plans to build 15,000-square-foot stores in each town.
Gary Davis, owner of Sterling Drug in Prairie Grove, said adding new businesses is good.
“The more businesses, the more traffic you get,” he said.
Davis said whenever a new business comes to town you lose a few customers, but most return when the newness factor wears off.
Bill Simon, president and chief executive officer of Walmart U.S., introduced the small-format Walmart Express store during Tuesday’s earnings release. He said the first Express stores would open in the second quarter, which runs from May 1 to July 31.
Walmart spokesman Steven Restivo confirmed Wednesday they are building a store in Gentry, but has not commented on the other locations. Walmart executives did not return e-mail or phone messages Friday.
A building permit in Prairie Grove lists ownership as Walmart Express, said Larry Oelrich, director of administrative services and public works for the town.
He said the project went through the entire planning process as a “proposed retail business.”
Prairie Grove requires ownership disclosure to obtain permits, Oelrich said. He said a project contractor is supposed to pay for the permits Monday.
The Prairie Grove store will be next to the Bank of Fayetteville on West Buchanan Street on the town’s west side.
Dirt work is also under way in Gentry.
David McNair, the town’s building inspector, said site work is all that has been approved on the proposed 15,000-square-foot retail building.
Planning documents in Gentry list the project as a new retail building.
The store is being built near the intersection of South Gentry Boulevard and South Collins Avenue.
The Gravette project is a bit further behind. Mike von Ree, Gravette planning commission chairman and the town’s recorder/treasurer, said a public hearing is set for March 14.
The hearing will deal with site development, and does not include construction plans.
This project is also labeled as a “new retail building” at city hall, von Ree said. The 15,000-square-foot building is proposed for the site of the old Gravette Hospital at 800 1st Ave. S.E.
The Gravette City Council on Thursday approved a construction waiver for the property that will clear the way for construction.
Also linking the projects are engineering applications with the Arkansas Department of Health.
Aaron Cooper of Henderson Engineers in Lowell filed for three permits Jan. 12 for a “retail store” in Prairie Grove, Gentry and Gravette.
He said Friday he could not comment on the projects.
David Haake, executive vice president of Henderson Engineers, said the firm has worked with Walmart in the past, but would not comment on any current project.
Fran Henderson, who died last year and founded the Lenexa, Kan.-based engineering company, worked on Walmart’s Supercenter format, Haake said.
Walmart officials haven’t said what the Express stores will carry, but von Ree said he was told the “retail establishment” would carry groceries and dry goods.
News, Pages 1 on 03/02/2011