By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – The Thompson High School band and choirs will headline a grand opening ceremony for Alabaster’s new Walmart Neighborhood Market on Wednesday, Sept. 30.

The store has been constructed off Alabama 119 south across from the Publix shopping center, and is near the intersection of Alabama 119 and Fulton Springs Road. The grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony is set to begin at 7:30 a.m. on Sept. 30 before the store opens to the public.

For the past several months, crews have been constructing the 41,920-square-foot grocery store, which will feature a gas station in its parking lot and will employ about 95 people. The store’s primary access point is at the intersection of Alabama 119 and Fulton Springs Road, and crews added a new right-hand turn lane off Alabama 119 south leading to the gas station parking lot.

Walmart already has Neighborhood Market locations in Shelby County off Shelby County 17 in Helena and on Valleydale Road in North Shelby in former Winn Dixie supermarket locations.

Walmart Neighborhood Markets are smaller than the company’s Superstores, and primarily focus on grocery offerings, along with a limited selection of non-grocery items.

During a Sept. 22 interview, Alabaster Mayor Marty Handlon praised the company for bringing the store to the city, and praised the city for attracting the retailer without the use of tax incentives.

“The thing I am most excited about is that a national company is willing to invest their own money to fill a void they felt existed in Alabaster,” Handlon said. “This new development just says we are definitely a growing city.”

Handlon said the store may serve as a new option for Alabaster residents who currently travel to other areas for their grocery shopping.

“I’m excited that we will get to keep some of that money here in Alabaster,” Handlon said.