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The red, white and blue archway of balloons welcomed customers and attendees into the newly renovated Pennsport Walmart Supercenter on the morning of the site’s grand reopening last week.
A crowd of new and veteran associates, managers and administrators from across the region, along with area community organization representatives, gathered around the small stage and podium set up in the center aisle of the 1675 S. Columbus Boulevard location while the Mummers provided the background music at 7:30 a.m. March 14. Store manager and event emcee, Frank Pellicori, jump-started the festivities with excitement as the new look was officially unveiled.
The pomp and circumstance continued when three students from the High School for Creative and Performing Arts, 901 S. Broad St., sang the national anthem and Rev. Joy Segal from Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Episcopal Church, 916 S. Swanson St., recited an invocation and dedication.
The 30,000-square-foot expansion, which began in February 2011, includes the addition of more grocery items. Although the footprint of the store remains the same, the large scale face-lift of an undisclosed amount was built out over the former lawn and garden area. Four walls were constructed in lieu of the exterior greenhouse option to better serve the nutritional needs of customers. The grocery section — now situated to the right of the new main entrance — expands the space to a total of 149,845 square feet.
“As we present this store, at this location, we have a full line of groceries now, from fresh produce, meat and dairy daily. It’s all here,” Pellicori, a Walmart employee of more than 15 years, said. “These customers and our associates are so excited and I know that we are going to serve our customers well here in the city and deliver an excellent store each and every day — every day low cost and every day low price for our customers.”
But shoppers aren’t the only ones reaping the rewards as the retail giant prides itself on being an involved community partner within each local neighborhood. Along with the assistance of 1st District Councilman Mark Squilla, Pellicori and his team identified community partners — some of which they have provided support to in the past. During the ceremony, one of the store’s 17 associates, who have been working at this location since its initial January 1995 opening, handed a representative from each of the 14 organizations a $1,000 blown-up check. The nonprofits include: Burke Community Fund, Second and Jackson streets; Gloria Dei Old Sweedes’ Episcopal Church; Center City’s Mercy Hospice; Murphy Recreation Center, 300 Shunk St.; Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 2319 S. Third St.; Pennsport Civic Association, 1837 S. Second St.; Philadelphia Mummers Fancy Brigade Association; Philadelphia New Year’s Shooters and Mummers Museum, 1100 S. Second St.; Queen Village Neighbors Association, 405-25 Queen St.; Sacred Heart of Jesus, 1404 S. Third St.; Shot Tower Playground, 101-31 Carpenter St.; South East Youth Athletic Association, Seventh and Bigler streets; Whitman Council Inc., 2455 S. Third St.; and Young Children’s Center for the Arts, 929 S. Water St.
“Not only is this a grand reopening, but it’s a reconnection to the community and the neighborhoods around here and that’s what’s important,” Squilla, of Front Street and Snyder Avenue, said while addressing the crowd.
He stressed the importance of a mutual partnership among the surrounding neighborhoods, his constituents and Walmart and its associates dedication in giving back to the community. In the last year alone, the global company provided $2.9 million to Philadelphia-based nonprofits including the Free Library of Philadelphia and Philabundance, 3616 S. Galloway St.
The Burke Community Fund, which oversees Burke Playground, will be using the money for children’s health and wellness programs while Mercy Hospice will be putting the funding toward its annual feeding program. The Catholic social service agency currently provides approximately 10,000 meals each year for the homeless community.
“It’s wonderful that Walmart is giving back to the community and willing to give,” Kristine Jaeger, the company’s volunteer and fundraising coordinator, said.
Queen Village Neighbors Association President Jeff Hornstein said he was thrilled to find out his group was selected. The association plans on using the funding to bridge the racial divide in Queen Village, which spans from the Delaware River to Sixth Street and the north side of Washington Avenue to the south side of Lombard Street.
“We are actively raising money to renovate the Weccacoe Playground [405-25 Catharine St.] and its subsequent building to develop it into a real community center and one of the priorities is to have programming to bring kids together,” the resident of Fourth and Queen streets said. “We want to encourage relationship-building among the different social and economic groups in Queen Village.”
Residents awaited the opportunity to check out the newly remodeled store and some couldn’t wait to break through the barricades when it was finally completed.
“This is great and something we needed for a long time,” Cindy Mallace, a resident of Sixth Street and Washington Avenue, said.
The dedicated shopper, who said she chose Walmart for years because of its low costs, witnessed the renovations and said she was curious to see the final product.
“It looks so nice and clean,” she said before shopping.
And, management plans to keep it that way.
With a commitment to its customers, the extensive overhaul also was great for the local economy.
“We created over 200 additional jobs to what we had, which brings us to about 550 associates,” Pellicori said.
New employee, Nyah Corpening, , is quickly growing accustomed to her new surroundings.
“I love it because everyone is always smiling and happy and there is always so much going on,” she said.
Contact the South Philly Review at editor@southphillyreview.com.
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