After several months, a newly renovated Walmart in Stephenville is now complete, and the company wholeheartedly thanked the community and its associates with a jubilant reopening event.
The event including a car show, vendors and food trucks took place in the parking lot Friday, Aug. 21.
“Today is a very special day for us. It has been 16 weeks of tearing down and building back up and if you haven’t been in the store yet, you’re in for a treat. We are bringing a new look, a new assortment and we are more aligned with the community today that we were yesterday,” Store Manager Steve McCormick said. “I’m excited about this, and I know my entire team is excited about this. We are proud of what we have, we are proud of what we are presenting to Stephenville, Texas and the surrounding area, and I think you will be too.”
Excitement was felt throughout the crowds and with Walmart’s associates as the Tarleton cheerleaders led a special Walmart Cheer along with Walmart associate and Tarleton Alum Kevin Cervantes. Oscar P was also at the festivities.
The event also included an opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem sang by Walmart associate Lindsay Crow.
Mayor Lonn Reisman also offered remarks.
“It’s a pleasure to be here today as we celebrate this new improved version of Walmart right here in the city of Champions, Stephenville Texas. From Sam Walton’s first five and dime in 1950, to the first Wal-mart Discount City in 1962, to this massive online presence beginning in 2000, Walmart has continued to evolve with the times. It also continues to expand its footprint right here in Stephenville over the past few decades, and have welcomed millions of visitors not only from our local citizens, but from our surrounding communities.”
Stephenville Police Chief Dan Harris spoke on behalf of law enforcement at the event.
“Great communities are not successful without great partnerships, and Walmart is at the top of that list. One of the things we spend all year working on is Shop with a Cop. These kids come into this store and they want to buy for their family, they want to buy toys, they want to buy necessities. There is so much love, and we could not do that as a law enforcement community without Walmart and Mr. McCormick,” Harris said. “I just want to say, ‘Attention all Walmart Associates, we love you, we thank you for loving our future, and our kids with us. May God bless you. May God Bless Walmart and may God Bless Stephenville.”
McCormick presented four donation checks at the event including $5,000 for Erath County’s Shop with a Cop event, $5,000 for Annie’s Therapeutic Companions, $1,500 for Fosters Home for Children and $1,500 for Stephenville Public Library. Both the library and Fosters Home funds were provided by FMI Construction.
He also thanked the traveling crews who had aided in the store renovation in the past week.