Tewksbury Walmart Prepares To Go "Super"
The addition to the building will house a new grocery department. Project also includes other indoor/outdoor renovations.
Soon, Tewksbury Walmart will no longer be ordinary in the company’s eyes.
When current construction is finished, the location will be considered a Supercenter, according to Chris Buchanan, a Walmart Senior Manager of Public Affairs & Government Relations.
Residents driving by will notice some façade changes, as well as a sizeable addition. Buchanan said the expansion and renovations are “progressing well.”
“We are on schedule with site work nearing completion for the fall,” he said.
When complete, Walmart will offer an additional 21,055 square feet of retail space, as well as a “significant reorganization of their internal space,” according to Steve Sadwick, Tewksbury’s Director of Community Planning. Most of the additional retail space is to accommodate a new grocery section at the location.
“The expanded Tewksbury Walmart will provide the neighborhood the convenience of a full grocery store with a deli, bakery, meat department, fresh produce, dry and frozen goods –as well as a full general merchandise section,” said Buchanan.
Buchanan said that the grocery section of the expanded Tewksbury Walmart will allow for customers to do all of their shopping in one location.
“We wanted to provide the best possible service and savings to our customers in Tewksbury,” he said.
Other than the addition of a grocery department, the store will also feature wider aisles, wood flooring, and new signage. Buchanan also said that the store will have a “softer color scheme” and will expand its existing 30 departments.
Outside the building, Walmart agreed to perform upgrades to signage and striping in the location’s parking lot as part of the addition approval by the Planning Board, according to Sadwick.
“They did provide the town with $25,000 for Main Street improvements,” he said.
The remaining money will be used for a “variety of repairs and upgrades to Main Street” at the direction of the Town Manager and the town’s traffic consultant, according to Buchanan.
“As a good corporate citizen, we were happy to do so,” he said.
Though Sadwick said the addition was requested to satisfy new customers as well as draw new ones, residents shouldn’t worry about traffic problems from business generated by the new grocery department.
“That was all looked at, and there was no significant increase in traffic that was projected,” said Sadwick. “The original permitting in 1994 ... was built with the capacity for a 30,000 square foot expansion.”
Also on the plus side, the addition and new grocery department will create about 85 new jobs, according to Buchanan.
“We look forward to continuing to save our Tewksbury-area customers money so they can live better,” he said.
Presently, Walmart officials haven’t determined whether they will hold a Grand Opening event when the renovations and addition are complete, according to Buchanan.
Dan
11:24 am on Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Great news, and some Jobs, that terriffic..
Ed B
7:30 am on Monday, August 8, 2011
Yes great news it is. So they hire 100 200 more people. Awsome. Too bad they pay so little. Too bad that some of the people who will get a job there will be making less than half what they made before this 2nd great depression we are in. Too bad the bills they have are based on what they made before the 2nd great depression. Too bad 90% of the goods at Wal Mart are imported friom China and other 3rd world hell holes. The country is go to "HE DOUBLE HOCKEY STICKS" in a hand bag.But the good news is the fed can say we added 200 new jobs at Wal Mart.
Kirsten
1:36 pm on Wednesday, August 3, 2011
This is definitely bittersweet news. I'm happy new jobs are available and that a little cash was donated to the town, but I'm curious about the upkeep of the grocery dept. If they had a hard time maintaining the very small grocery section before and the removal of expired goods, how do they plan on keeping up with a full grocery section? I'm not a Walmart supporter partly because of this. They do not care for the consumer amongst SO many other things. I'm just curious whether they set any motions to improve at least this part of the company for this location.
Alex Ro
8:40 pm on Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Market Basket is no better, in the last 2 months I have purchased 3 things that have been expired. One was over a year old..blech.
Kirsten
12:08 am on Thursday, August 4, 2011
Alex, I completely agree!! I've posted my feelings on both Walmart AND Market Basket here on Patch before. I encourage anybody shopping there to check exp, dates on EVERYTHING (especially diary). After complaining multiple times about yogurts and hot dogs being months past inspection, I came to the conclusion they just don't care. My last trip there, I informed management about cereal and instant potato being several months past exp. I also explained that I noticed a huge amount of yogurt exp. as usual that I had pulled to the front of the shelf for him to look at. He told me that dried goods last longer than the exp. date and that I should go back and collect all the exp. yogurts for him to look at. I told him those instant potato's will probably sit in my cabinet another 3 months before they get used completely. How is that safe, and at what point should I worry about bugs. I then addressed the yogurt. It's such a big deal to me because my baby at the time ate it everyday. I couldn't walk away knowing that some other family would unknowingly grab yogurt and move on so I went back and cleared over half a shelf. This is combined with panhandlers in the parking lot and beggars in the store. My funds are just as limited as the next patron, so I feel overwhelming guilt after being approached. The parking lot panhandlers that approach your car, especially at night, scare the daylights out of me. For all of the reasons mentioned, I've taken my business elsewhere.
Jake P
6:36 am on Thursday, August 4, 2011
you need to call the Tewksbury Board of Health with these complaints. They will do spot inspections and make them throw out expired stuff immediately
Kirsten
8:08 am on Thursday, August 4, 2011
Hey Jake, I threatened Walmart with the Board of Health and they swore they'd go through the entire store. Honestly, I never went back to see if more exp. items went/stayed on the shelves. With a now 2y/o in tote, it's near impossible to get shopping done, so I'm not about to go in there for follow-up. I can warn people by WOM. The manager at MB claimed the Board of Health was making a visit the following week I was there. I did try and find out whether I could get info on that visit, but had no such luck unless I was to file a claim myself, which is a pretty big deal and comes with harsh reprimands for accusations they find untrue. They don't take anything lightly. I let the BOH do their job the following week and washed my hands of that store entirely. You are absolutely right though, I should have filed anyway. The whole thing made me nervous. Had I known others were noticing the same thing, I would have been more apt to do so. =)
Kirsten
8:24 am on Thursday, August 4, 2011
I should have mentioned that after speaking with "supervisor's" on a couple of occasions at Walmart, I called and spoke with the district manager. I can't remember the name off the top of my head. They said they were very aware of that issue and working on it. They said lack of staff, especially in that department played a major roll. That's why I addressed it here. I'm curious to see what steps will be taken to ensure food safety. 85 new employees for several new and expanded dept. just doesn't seem enough if they can't manage what they have now.
Sarah
7:31 am on Thursday, August 4, 2011
Which Market Basket are you guys talking about? I've never seen panhandlers at the Market Basket next to Home Goods. The one near Lowell... I have a memory of some dude approaching my mom at the car when we were kids and totally freaking her out. Just curious.
Kirsten
8:30 am on Thursday, August 4, 2011
Sarah, I've encountered panhandler's at both MB's. The only MB I've actually had people follow me through the store was near Home Goods. Both had panhandlers that I encountered many times before taking my business elsewhere. Hope this helps!
Jessica Sampson
8:15 am on Thursday, August 4, 2011
I have seen panhandlers at both Market Baskets, the one near Lowell and the one near Home Goods.
The expired products on the shelfs is a much bigger issue. I have brought it to the attention of the staff and manager at Market Basket twice in the past 6 months. I do not do my grocery shopping there anymore.
Karyn
11:52 am on Thursday, August 4, 2011
That's just Market Basket's way of "giving you more for your dollar."
Jake P
12:21 pm on Thursday, August 4, 2011
For those who do not know:
-You do NOT have to give your name when filing a complaint with the Board of Health
-They DO follow up on all calls and welcome a callback a few days later to find out the results of thier inspection
-These stores ABSOLUTELY hate it when the BOH does inspections on them
-You will be given LIP SERVICE if you bring it up to the management teams at both places
PLEASE just call the BOH @ 978-640-4470 with your complaints. If you get a voicemail leave your complaint on it and tell them you will call back in 3-4 days to see what became of it.If enough people do this I'm sure MB will change their ways. The BOH has wide latitude on how they can handle these issues. Be specific in what items you have seen out of date. They will make an unannounced "shopping visit" and fill their carriage with expired goods and then take it to the manager. Speak with Lou Ann Clements if you want clarification on any of these issues.
Alex Ro
10:39 am on Friday, August 5, 2011
I have given up on the board of health. Called them once on a sub shop touching food and then the money twice and they didnt care, told me they ate there and that the food was cooked after and not to worry.
When I called MB and spoke to the manager on the expired items, he walked over to the shelf while on the phone and checked all the items and told me they were fine, made me, he made me feel like he thought I was lying. I now also call the company who makes the product to let them know. But the grosest was a product I bought expired over a year and a half ago. Makes me sick just thinking about it. If Hannafords prices were cheaper I would go there all the time.
Mrs. Followill
11:05 am on Friday, August 5, 2011
I have also run into this expired foods issue with Market Basket. I now shop at Whole Foods which is expensive. I guess bottom line with these companies is 'you get what you pay for' with cheaper prices but it shouldn't have to be this way. It's a shame.
Kirsten
12:03 pm on Friday, August 5, 2011
Isn't it awful that we're all having these issues, complaining, threatening, etc. and no actions are taking place? Mrs. Followill, I can't believe you drive all the way to Whole Foods!!! What a hike for already expensive items, but it's worth it I'm sure!! Alex, I do shop at Hannaford's, but it's a killer. I'd take the drive down 38 to Wilmington more often, but it's rarely fitting with my schedule, plus it's Rt.38. Need I say more? As for the management at MB, I agree that they make people feel awful for complaining. They should be grateful we pointed it out so that they don't have a huge lawsuit on their hands. I think it's disgusting to have products a year past inspection on the shelves or any exp. items at all. I'm so glad everybody has shared their experiences with this. I no longer feel like the idiot MB made me feel like multiple times, and it serves as a big warning to others!!! Thanks for the backup guys!
Mrs. Followill
3:31 pm on Friday, August 12, 2011
Kirsten - my drive to Whole Foods is not that bad b/c I pass it everyday on my way to and from work. LOL
Jake P
4:31 pm on Friday, August 5, 2011
Alex I can't believe they told you that! male or female?? I would immediately call the town manager if that was thier response
Kirsten
4:57 pm on Friday, August 5, 2011
Jake and Alex, handling money and food is actually quite common. Finding grounds on which it's unacceptable is hard to determine. I'm with Alex that the two should not be allowed, but it is!!!!! This complaint came up for years at my place of employment, a local hospital that I won't disclose the name of since I'm still affiliated with them. All staff seemed to point it out to them. Eventually complaints were heard, but it took years. The remedy was cashiers wearing gloves. It was pointless. They still handled money and food. Eventually, our voices were heard when the hospital was undergoing massive changes of improvement for MAGNET status, but that was from CEO's, not from the BOH or Joint Commission. Both teams ate there and inspected every corner of the hospital. Clearly they had no problems with the handling of food & money without proper hygiene. I've noticed other hospitals doing the same thing, so it comes as no surprise a sub shop or any other food vendor would be doing it. :(
Mary Ellen Fernald
6:47 pm on Friday, August 5, 2011
Its not the BOH that does the inspections, it is the Health Department. When you call to complain, it is the Health Dept. There are two people working in that office and all calls go to them. The director is Lou Ann Clement and her assistant name is Dean ..I have also called about MB out of date products and that afternoon Dean was at the store. When you see something that you think is not right, call the Health Department.
Alex Ro
10:46 pm on Friday, August 5, 2011
OMG I never knew others found expired items too. I am glad I am not the only one.
I spoke to a male, this was the Oakdale MB. He walked over to both aisles while on a cordless and read off dates!!! I never thought to ask for his name. I can start another topic on this how many have purchased meat at MB that stunk. LOL.
Alex Ro
10:49 pm on Friday, August 5, 2011
Oh and a word of warning, if you go to the dollar store and there is no date, do not buy the product. My friend in another state called the company and the product was 3 years old!!! I bought food there early winter, we ate it and I was like why is this a little dry......checked the date, it was over 2 months old. And when I called I was told that sometimes , won't mention his name, forgets to check the dates. Lots of candy I see there is expired too.
Mary Ellen Fernald
9:41 am on Saturday, August 6, 2011
I like the Dollar Store, but I never buy food.
AM
1:40 am on Monday, August 8, 2011
I have also found expired food at both MBs. Sometimes I buy the already cut up apples that come packaged for the kids lunches. when I went to get some they all looked really brown. I looked at the date and some were a MONTH past the expiration and some were a week. I got the closest employee who went and got the guy in charge of produce and I stood there and watched them pull all of the brown apples. Their words were "wow, this is gross". It's to the point that when I go food shopping with the kids, If I ask them to grab something and put it into the cart, they automatically look at the expiration date..they are 8 and 9. I remember growing up about 15 or 20 years ago and my dad telling me that he loves MB because of the prices but you really have to look at the expiration date because they never remove expired food, and that he will NEVER buy the meat from them. This was at the MBs in Burlington and Woburn, so this is a company issue going on for years.
Melissa Gleaton
11:18 am on Monday, August 8, 2011
I ALWAYS look at expiration dates. Just something I do. I'm responsible for what I'm buying, and knowing how long it will take for me to consume it. Many times I've bought the "manager's special" and thrown it right into the freezer for months before eating it. Still good.
Kirsten
3:24 pm on Monday, August 8, 2011
It sounds like we're ALL neurotic about exp. dates and responsible/diligent in letting management and appropriate figures know about shelved items past date. My concern lies with our visually impaired shoppers, our frazzled parents, our "in and out" shoppers, etc. They might eventually figure out the product has expired, but what about our elderly neighbors? On top of possible decreased vision, most half half the taste buds you or I may have and half the sense of smell. They are the most susceptible to food poisoning as well as children. I wouldn't call them irresponsible. I'd call the store irresponsible, especially after exp. dates have been brought to their attention time after time. With only 89 new positions at Walmart to cover a new grocery dept., expanded dept's., and several other "new dept's", how do they plan on looking after the consumer. I would love a Walmart Rep to explain this!!
Chely
8:15 pm on Tuesday, August 9, 2011
I did address the exp. date issue to new managment team at Walmart. I have got to say that there has been a big improvment on their product quality, but I can't say the same of MB, it is always the same with exp. issues. Last time I visited MB I was going to buy some yougurt and they were exp. I told the mgr, and he started to give the same "blah, blah, blah". I just left the full carriage full of groceries and left. I will give Walmart a chance and then I'll see.