RSS | 
Twitter
| 
Be a fan!
Convenience, now closer
jstevens@observer-reporter.com
WAYNESBURG - The cars kept coming Wednesday, one after another up the winding road known as Murtha Drive.
Drivers turned into the huge lot, going up and down aisles looking for the ideal parking place. It was 6:30 a.m., 30 minutes before a ribbon-cutting that would signal the long-awaited grand opening of the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Franklin Township.
Rate This Story:
1 the lowest - 5 the highest
Current rating:
Glenda Watson of Clarksville, a loyal Wal-Mart shopper who has had to do her shopping at the Washington store, was elated it took her just 15 minutes to get to this Wal-Mart.
"I won't be looking for anything in particular," she said. "Just the bargains."
And Brenda Stone of Bobtown, who showed up with her two grandchildren in tow, said she has had to shop at the Morgantown, W.Va., Wal-Mart, and this one will be much more convenient.
"What I like about Wal-Mart," she said, "are the prices, the quality and the friendly staff, and I think this is a wonderful thing for Greene County's economy."
The retail store employs approximately 330 associates, mostly full time.
While he didn't plan to make any purchases Wednesday, being at the opening of this store had special meaning for Commissioner Dave Coder.
A strong proponent for establishing a retail presence in the county, Coder never swayed from his position that a major retailer would locate here.
"This is a day we have worked a long time to put together," he said. "We have had to overcome quite a few hurdles and obstacles to get this done. This is a great day."
Ronny Hayes, a Wal-Mart regional vice president, told the crowd that "grand openings never get old," and he described the Waynesburg store as the first of its kind, unique in its concept.
"This store, which will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, will offer a faster, friendlier and cleaner shopping experience," Hayes said.
The 153,430-square-foot store features a full line of groceries, bakery goods, deli foods, frozen foods, meat and dairy products and fresh produce. There are more than 30 merchandise departments such as apparel and accessories, fine jewelry, a lawn and garden center with drive-through loading area, health-and-beauty aids and a full line of electronics.
Convenience services include a pharmacy, digital photo processing center and Wal-Mart Connect Center. Leased areas and services include a Subway restaurant, SmartStyle Family Hair Care salon and Woodforest National Bank branch.
Marcy Sloneker, market manager, tried to diffuse a widely held notion that when a Wal-Mart moves in a ghosttown is left behind.
"We are not in the business to put anyone out of business," said the Greene County native. "We are here to bring more people into the area and to uphold our motto, 'Save money and live better.'"
WAL-MART..= DOOM : 3/19/2009
IF YOU WANT TO SEE.."SAVE MONEY AND LIVE BETTER"...IN FULL FORCE ,,JUST TAKE A LOOK AT DOWNTOWN WASHINGTON,PA. WAYNESBURG...UNFORTUNITALY YOUR TOWN WILL NOT BE FAR BEHIND.....CONVENIECE WILL HAVE A HIGH PRICE........
wal-mart : 3/19/2009
what do you have in your "downtown waynesburg" anyway?,nothing. get over it or move.your problem is not wal-mart it is the drugs.
Wal-Mart Kool-aid : 3/19/2009
Wal-Mart is nothing more than a brick and mortar warehouse of Chisese goods. Their own past executives admit that they put a few nickel & dime items on "sale" as the customer comes though the door, but as a whole, their prices are no more less expensive (many times more) than any other large chain. So, enjoy funding the Chinese exports, and while you're at it, pick up a book at Wal-Mart, "How to Speak Chinese".
Walmart : 3/19/2009
Walmart's goal is "...to bring more people into the area..."? Where will these new Greene Countians work, besides Walmart for minimum wage and no benefits? I am neutral on Walmart's arrival in Greene County. There are both positives and negatives, but we need some real jobs in this county. Ones that will get people off welfare and medical assistance.
Ghost Town : 3/19/2009
Once the local stores close due to lack of business, WalMart will shut it's doors in Waynesburg, knowing that you are then stuck going to Washington, Uniontown, or Morgantown, just like you have been in the past to get your WalMart fix. But, there will be no place for the non WalMart shoppers to go in Waynesburg anymore.
WALMART : 3/19/2009
Dont blame Wal-Mart for a change in nthe times. small town shopping has been history for many years long before you ever knew what a Wal-Mart was. I grew up in Greene County and never went shopping in down town Waynesburg, reason being the stores prices were always to high not to mention the trouble it is to get in and out of town not to mention no where to park. Wal-Mart stores are great and if you dont like them then dont go there. People have busy lives and need convience, one stop shopping . We dont have the time for any other shopping not to mention the money to shop places as the stores that exist in downtown america. Times change soaccept it. It used to be the malls that people as you used as an excuse for running the downtown stores out of business, its 2009 not 1959 !
: 3/19/2009
I could not agree more. Look what they did in Washington, they built a store then left after 5 years or so and moved less then a mile down the road. They are like a plague. Not to mention that they sell a lot of items that are not made in the USA. A lot of the things that they sell have been recalled because of what is in them.
walmart : 3/19/2009
to the person who thinks walmart =Doom i'm sure you'll shop there too! its really sad when your always bringing ppl down and not wanting the community to be successful
Doom : 3/19/2009
Too late Doomsayer, Waynesburg was long gone before Wal-Mart moved into the area. Downtown merchants sealed their own fate by closing their doors at 5PM during the week and Noon on Saturdays.
unbeleivable : 3/19/2009
You people whine about jobs being sent overseas, and then go right ahead and shoot yourselves in your own dumba$$ foot. Have at it, WalMart shoppers. Go buy some cheap Chinese made crap that put Americans out of work. Enjoy it until it breaks or poisons your children.
Wal-Mart : 3/19/2009
The retailers in Waynesburg carry items that Wal-mart does not carry, for instance... You cannot buy original Levi Jeans at Wal-mart that Mickey's Men’s Store sells so those who have been going there will continue to go there... Others are the same. In addition, if the local retailers would keep their doors open a little later there would be a chance for more business. I work during the hours that most of the local stores are open & I have no opportunity to shop because their hours of operation is usually open at nine and close at four or five. Also I know that during the winter holidays that there is a open house giving the local businesses the opportunity to stay open 2 hrs later to give us a chance to visit their stores and shop and most of them do not participate, so who is really to blame here... ? I think that bringing Wal-Mart to Waynesburg especially with the economy & gas prices the way they are was a great idea. I do not shop at the local grocery stores just because they are so competitive & their prices are ridiculous & I travel to Washington to grocery shop, now all I have to do is drive two miles & I am there! Great Job Commissioners!
walmarts great : 3/19/2009
for all u walmart haters, walkmart will employ more peopl in your town than all your existing businesses.and will save everybody money and fyi produsts in small stores come from china also they just cost more there. welcome wallyworld
i agree with dg : 3/19/2009
I am one of those shoppers that either had to go to Washington or Morgantown to shop...with the exception of a few groceries I purchased in town...I drove the distance. I haven't shopped in Waynesburg for years....the prices are way out of my league. If I did need something immediately and go to a local hardware store...guess what? It was closed....so I agree with a previous post....they had their chance by lowering prices and extending hours but their profit was worth more to them than "customers"....so I for one welcome Walmart to Waynesburg.
reality check : 3/19/2009
Why must all good things be criticized by those who don't understand? Wal-Mart has played vital role in the lives of many in the area by providing affordable goods and employment opportunities. The article indicates 330 new jobs have been created with this opening. I assume the majority of those jobs were taken by people in the general area. I'm asking you.... take Wal Mart out of the picture and where do these 330 people work? Who pays them? That's what I thought... no one. As far as the quality of goods and where they are manufactured, I have no problem. The American consumer feels they are entitled to the best possible goods at the lowest possible prices. However, when they realize that means it must come from a foreign manufacturer, they cry foul. The American counterpart to the imported goods is of similar quality but often times double the price. The cost of producing American goods continues to rise due to the increasing costs of labor and materials. This was done by the American worker that feels entitled to ever increasing wages and benefits while producing at a same or sometimes less efficiency...not Wal Mart. Don't deny it... Look for yourself. I don't want to engage in an economics lesson. As far as Waynesburg is concerned, go there right this minute and purchase everythng you need and avoid Wal Mart. Did you find everything? Can you afford it? Was the store even open? In my 35+ years of living in SW PA, Waynesburg has been nothing more than a stop for gas for someone traveling through. Maybe now they may stop at the Wal Mart too.
Wal-mart : 3/19/2009
I am a native of Greene County, and have often wondered why waynesburg has not supplied the needs of its people. For instance, try to find something in Waynesburgh for you kids. Such as clothes. I actually looked in all the stores that waynesburgh has to offer, and even asked some of the store clerks why there was no kids clothes. The answer I received the most was. "We have no room for kids clothes" The other problem I have are the prices in these stores. There is one store that sports a fine ladies suit for $300.00. WOW! What a deal. Course we all know who can afford that right? I say let Wal-mart be the best thing that has happen to this town since we got our first fire truck. Maybe the stores that were here first will learn a lesson and drop prices so the average greene county person can afford to shop there. Welcome Wal-mart!
Waynesburg : 3/19/2009
I do not and never will buy my Levis at Mickeys mens in Waynesburg, why should i when I can get 2 pair at J.C Penny or Sears for what it would cost to get 1 pair at Mickeys. As far as the jobs go Walmart wages start above minimum wage . SO SHUT UP ALL READY! You are idiots!
100 people layed off! : 3/19/2009
100 employees have been layed off from the waynesburg store already. Great employment oppurtunity!! Hahahaha
Waynesburg : 3/19/2009
Having a student at the university, we spent two or three weekends exploring the area to see what is there. We did not find much. A Bob Evans, a really dirty McD's, bad Chinese, a Giant Eagle, a dollar store and some gas stations. We walked the downtown area more than once and it's always CLOSED (not that we found any stores of use to us there). The movie theater is terrible. ONE store we used was the Locker Room (?) and their inventory was very limited. I can't see that WalMart is going to put any part of Wybg out of business. The gas stations will be fine (they will probably get MORE traffic), the movie theater will still suck. Hopefully, having the WalMart there will bring in more eateries, drawing even more interstate traffic. I just can't see it as a bad move for Wybg.
Disappointed : 3/19/2009
I was so excited by Wal-Mart opening in Waynesburg. Well, I stopped there today and was so disappointed. I knew it was to be a smaller store than in surrounding areas, but the selection of goods is so small. I will probably continue to head to other, larger Wal-Marts for a better selection. SOOOOO...disappointed.
100 people layed off : 3/19/2009
DKE - so what your saying is that there are still 230 people earning their own way rather than living on the government dime??? Still can't see the forest through all those darn tress huh?
The way it used to be.... : 3/19/2009
The way it used to be is exactly that. the way it USED to be. Everything is consolidating for the sake of cost and convenience. Wal Mart never carried groceries, now most all walmarts are super walmarts so you can get your groceries, close and housewares. I'd be heartless if I said I didn't feel for the stores that go out of business, but times change, and when you open a business, there are no guarantees that you will stay open forever. It is always a risk that you take when you open a business, and the era of the downtown shopping district is almost over. There are just more choices with better prices at the larger stores. That's just the way it is.
I like walmart. : 3/19/2009
It sure as heck beats my other choices in Waynesburg. i.e. the Filthy Family Dollar, the Dumpy Dollar General, and Barnyard Big Lots. at least I dont need a shower after shopping at WalMart
100 ppl : 3/19/2009
where do you get your information? I know 3 people thatwere hired there and are still working. The important thing is Wal-Mart is the american way now weather you like it or not , i like it and i shop at Wal-Mart every chance I get. If you want to shop in the dirty smelly grocery store in Carmichaels then go ahead.
walmart : 3/19/2009
why walmart built a store there is beyond me, what else will move to waynesburg.....kmart???, maybe a couple of eateries, but washington in comparison is a much better choice....enjoy walmart!!!
Pathetic PPL shame on you! : 3/19/2009
Ok... to the person saying Walmart's employees are paid minimum wage and have no benefits.. NOT TRUE!! To the one saying 100 have already been laid off from Walmart ... NOT TRUE!! WTF is wrong with you ppl ?? This store has took 330 ppl who either had a lower paying job, or no job at all from OUR county and employed them. BECAUSE of that...... guess what ??? Those ppl are NOT on the states insurance OR on WELFARE cash asssistance or even FOOD stamps again because why THEY HAVE A JOB!!! omg imagine that Greene County ppl WORKING to make a living!! Who would know that sooooooooooooooooooo many of you Greene Countians are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO uneducated it's almost pathetic! From now on, if your info isn't factual, maybe you should keep your mouth closed and your mind open so you will learn something.
Walmart : 3/19/2009
I will still buy my husbands boots and carhartts at Mickeys, I will still buy my clothes at JcPenney and Fashion Bug,my meds and some groceries at Giant Eagle,, But still love Walmart and can't wait to shop there! They have not layed anyone off yet, so not sure where the one gets their info, and they all get paid higher than minimum wage, and can even recieve health insurance, and stocks in the company. So know your facts before you put it down and the people who work there and do a great job, I am sure most of you complainers will shop there once a week, if not everyday! Almost everything in this country comes from overseas, so don't just knock Walmart alone.
Walmart : 3/20/2009
Please! Find me any store around where I could buy a majority of American made goods and I'd shop there. The dirty truth is that they no longer exist. Unions have driven prices up so that most "American made" products are priced out of reach for many Americans. Go Walmart! They provide a service Greene Co. has needed for many years. Now if we could just get these 2 do-nothing commissioners off their butts and push for the by-pass, things would get even better for all of us
walmart : 3/25/2009
most of these posts sound like the Greene County back woods mentality. We live in the 21st century not 50 yrs back. Go Wal-mart
