Walmart Announces Reopening of Vine City Stores, Complete Closure of Howell Mill Stores – WSB-TV Channel 2

ATLANTA — After months of speculation, Walmart announced plans for two subways in Atlanta on Monday night.

Walmart released a statement saying it will reopen its Vine City store and permanently close its Howell Mill Road store after considering all factors.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

“After a thorough review of all factors associated with our Vine City and Howell Mill Road stores, we have made the decision to reopen the Vine City location as Walmart Neighborhood Market and permanently close the Howell Mill Road location. Unfortunately, a variety of economic headwinds existed for both stores prior to their arson closure.,” Walmart said.

Howell Mill’s Walmart was set on fire in December. Firefighters say someone deliberately set the men’s clothing department on fire. The store was then temporarily closed. But on Monday, Walmart announced it had decided to permanently close Howell Mill stores.

The Vine City Walmart also caught fire in December. This was just days after the Howell Mill fire that temporarily closed the store.

Neighbors shopping at the Vine City store on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Expressed concern about possible long-term store closures.

“Losing this store would be a huge loss for the community,” said Atlanta City Councilman Byron Amos.

Opened in January 2013. Before it opened, people in the area said they would drive miles to shop for their families.

Residents worried that store closures would hit jobs, access to food, communities and opportunities, but now they need not worry as Walmart has announced its decision to reopen stores. there is no.

Vine City Citizens Association President John H. Lewis said: channel 2 action news That this was the news they wanted.

“This is the news we’ve been waiting for – the thousands of residents who have been Walmart customers, including older long-term residents and college students who have turned to this Walmart for groceries and medicines – And people who needed a place to go within walking distance – I’m happy for them. “I want to thank the team that worked together to make this happen. I made it happen.”

Walmart said in a statement that the Howell Mill location does not have the ability to repurpose like Vine City.

Related story:

“Unlike Vine City, Walmart is unable to repurpose the Howell Mill Road location due to site restrictions. We will work with Mayor Dickens and his office to find new uses or businesses for the site,” Walmart said. said.

Walmart thanked the mayor and city council members for their support in the reopening of Vine City Walmart.

“Thanks to Mayor Andre Dickens and City Councilman Byron Amos, we are reopening our Vine City stores as Walmart Neighborhood Markets to meet the grocery and pharmacy needs of our community. focus,” Walmart said.

Mayor Andre Dickens issued a statement following the announcement.

“Food and nutritional security of Atlanta families is a moral right to our community. , seniors, children, students and thousands of individuals and households lack access to fresh and affordable food.

My team and I have worked directly with Walmart to ensure the store can reopen. We thank City Councilman Byron Amos, Chief of Staff Odie Donald II, and everyone involved. Guaranteed to add an extra layer of food security you deserve.

The City will work with Walmart and community stakeholders on the proper use of Howell Mill store sites and the employment of affected employees.

We continue the City’s goal of ensuring that all residents have access to fresh, affordable food within half a mile of their homes. ”

— Statement from Mayor Andre Dickens

Atlanta City Councilman Byron Amos also released a statement regarding the reopening of Vine City Walmart.

“After working with Walmart management, we are able to announce that Walmart stores in Vine City will continue to operate. No date has been set for completion of the renovations, and for weeks the community has been coming together in step with a focus on making the entire MLK corridor safer and more accessible. With years of dedication and hard work, we can continue to make that goal a reality.”

— Statement by Atlanta City Councilman Byron Amos

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

In other news:

Atlanta Fire and Rescue says fire broke out in men’s section of Walmart Police are looking for the person who allegedly started the fire inside a Walmart in northwestern Atlanta on Wednesday night.

©2022 Cox Media Group