Walmart Neighborhood Market, located at 105 Market St. off of Highway 12, opened for business Tuesday with a ribbon cutting and community celebration.
The 41,000-square-foot store features fresh produce, a full-service deli, bakery, Grab-and-Go prepared meals, drive-through pharmacy and a full grocery department including health and beauty items, baby and pet supplies and some household goods.
According to a statement from Walmart, the new store is a new prototype that only exists in a limited number of communities, featuring wider aisles and lower countertops at the deli and bakery.
"This is a new format for this part of Starkville, one whose smaller footprint focuses on fresh produce and allows customers to get in and out quickly," store manager Brandon Williams said. "Walmart continually invests in new ways its customers time and money, and this store is a great example."
Beginning in February, Walmart Neighborhood Market will offer online grocery pickup, which is already available at the Walmart Supercenter. Customers will be able to order their groceries online and choose the best time to pick up their groceries, and then a personal shopper will load the groceries into the customer's vehicle at no extra cost.
The new Walmart Neighborhood Market will add 100 full-time and part-time jobs to the local economy. Anyone interested in employment at Walmart can visit the store's hiring kiosk or visit www.walmartcareers.com.
Greater Starkville Development Partnership President and CEO Scott Maynard said the GSDP appreciates Walmart's continued investment in the community.
"This marks the fourth Walmart store to open in Starkville since the early 70's," Maynard said. "They have made a strong commitment to this community, as evidenced by four community grants that were awarded this morning, and we thank them for the value that their strong partnership brings to Starkville."
During the ribbon cutting and community celebration, Walmart gave grants to the Oktibbeha County Humane Society, Starkville Fire Department, Starkville Police Department and the Starkville Parks and Recreation Department in the amount of $2,000 each.
Walmart Neighborhood Market is open seven days a week from 6 a.m. until midnight.