Tempe, AZ May hit Wal-Mart Trifecta

Wal-Mart market may be coming to south Tempe [Arizona Republic]

Wal-Mart is moving toward opening another store in south Tempe, meaning the company could soon operate three discount retailers in the city.

Wal-Mart already has a “Superstore” location at Elliot Road and Priest Drive, and the company has plans to open a second store at Rural Road and Southern Avenue, where a Mervyn’s currently operates.

The newest addition could bring a different kind of Wal-Mart to Tempe: Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market. Wal-Mart calls the intended site a “specialty grocery and retail concept” store in its permit application to the city. Documents show Wal-Mart intends to convert a vacant, 2-acre Osco Pharmacy site at Elliot and Rural roads. The building would be fixed up, but additional retail or parking square-footage would be added.

Tempe has yet to process or approve those plans, but Michael Williams, a deputy development services manager, said the necessary changes are routine and could be approved within the coming months.

When and what will be in the new store is yet to be determined, said Wal-Mart spokeswoman Amy Wyatt-Moore. Many Wal-Mart Neighborhood Markets in the area are about 40,000 square feet, are open 24-hours and offer primarily groceries.

Meanwhile, Wal-Mart is still intends to open a new store in the Mervyn’s site, despite City Council and some community opposition.

After the plans were announced, neighbors sent a barrage of -mails to city officials, begging them to stop the store from coming. The council later penned a letter asking Wal-Mart to find a different location - within the city.

Despite that, Wal-Mart will be requesting renovation permits within the next 30 days, said Wal-Mart spokeswoman Delia Garcia. The Mervyn’s lease on the building goes through May. Wal-Mart intends to move into the building soon after, she added.

Posted by Andrew Yonki on Thursday, October 11, 2007

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