BG Walmart is now open for business

As Battle Ground resident Glenda Bowden waited in one of the checkout lines in the recently-opened Battle Ground Walmart, she expressed that she really enjoyed her experience at the new store.

“It’s awesome,” Bowden said to the new Walmart Supercenter, which officially opened for business the morning of May 21. “I just moved up here (to Battle Ground) from Oregon, so it’s nice to have a Walmart so close. They have such a nice variety, I always find things that I need. I’m a widow and low income, so it’s great for me.”

According to Katie Zadak, store manager at the Battle Ground Walmart, roughly a couple hundred people attended the 7:30 a.m. grand opening celebration of the store on May 21.

“We had more people attend this grand opening than we normally do and we’ve been busy all morning since then,” Zadak said at about 9 a.m. on opening day. “We’ve had lots of compliments on our front end, people telling us the cashiers and staff area really friendly and helpful.”

The morning grand opening event included some costumed visitors, including a slice of Franz Bakery bread, a Keebler elf and an Oreo cookie. Several Battle Ground City Council members and Mayor Shane Bowman also attended the event.

On the evening of May 20, prior to the grand opening, a ribbon cutting ceremony and presentation was held with the Battle Ground Chamber of Commerce.

Dody Resser, an Orchards resident who decided to visit the Battle Ground Walmart on its opening day, said she really liked the layout of the new store.

“I love Walmart and I live in Orchards, so I’ve been to a lot of the ones in the area,” Resser said. “I just came to see this one.”

On opening day, as folks drove into the parking lot of the new Walmart, located at 1201 SW 13th Ave., at the intersection of SR-503 and Scotton Way, they would’ve noticed one lone protestor displaying a sign against Walmart’s presence in Battle Ground.

Duane White, a Battle Ground area resident, said he showed up on the sidewalk leading into the Walmart parking lot at 7 a.m. the day of the grand opening. Not trying to cause a ruckus, White said he is simply against Walmart coming to Battle Ground and that he wants to continue to support local businesses.

“I was hoping to have a little more support out here,” White said, laughing. “But it’s just me. I’ve had about four or five people stop and talk to me, some people honked, people have waved at me. I think Walmart came in here under the radar and I think people need to realize that and stand up to this. I’m not a union affiliate or anything, I’m for Battle Ground.”

On a Facebook post asking for comments from people who visited the new Walmart on its opening day, several people posted positive and negative comments about the new store.

“I really liked going today, “ said Zabrina Kirkley-Brown. “They had a lot of freebies and samples. I love the location and I’m excited for the employees. The store is huge and very clean, of course. I am so excited it is finally here.”

Barbara Lamaire-Day said it’s definitely hard to beat the location, convenience, prices and staff at Walmart.

“I know it will be tough for other businesses, but when you don’t have the income to pay the higher prices, then Walmart helps,” Lamaire-Day said. “Sorry, but that’s the truth of it.”

Still, others weren’t quite as happy with the presence of the new supercenter.

“I think it’s pretty sad that people don’t see what Walmart is doing,” said Carrie Mullins. “I don’t have a great income (single mom, full-time student and working) and I do not shop there at all.”

“I feel it wrecking Battle Ground’s small-town image,” said Heidi Grisham. “Kinda bummed over it … I’ll stick to shopping local.”

The new Battle Ground Walmart Supercenter is open 24 hours a day and is located at 1201 SW 13th Ave., Battle Ground.