Ninety-seven years ago, UT alumnus Weston Fulton built an industrial park next to his alma mater, a factory that years later would be better known for its significant industrial contamination.
This morning though, Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero will open a Wal-Mart at the new University Commons, a sprawling complex on the same site that will host a Publix, a branch of the VolShop and over half a dozen other stores and restaurants.
Under construction since 2013, the site was once considered a brownfield site – a step below the more dangerous Superfund ranking – one contaminated by chemical waste but with the ability to be restored.
Wal-Mart is only the first of the stores in the University Commons to open, several more are still being finished.
The opening of the Wal-Mart is also a homecoming of sorts. Store Manager Janet Bales is a UT graduate and is back in Knoxville after years working in separate Wal-Mart chains across Kentucky and Tennessee.
“It’s like coming back home,” she said.
The Retail and Consumer Science Department and its Rocky Top Institute – a brand development initiative by students in the major – cooperated with Wal-Mart in helping pick out products for their stores, selling their products – such as an orange t-shirt with a logo modeled after a Jack Daniel’s bottle – in the retail giant for the first time.
Students involved with Wal-Mart also advised the branch on what merchandise to keep in stock, resulting in the store allocating even more space for electronics and cosmetics.
The store though does seek to cater to college students with a well-stocked array of dorm room accessories such as mini-fridges and futons.
“We’re coming upon a freshman move-in,” Bales said, “and we really wanted to make sure the students know we’re here with what they need.”
Though not a Wal-Mart Supercenter, the new location does offer a wide variety of dry goods and frozen foods, with only limited options for fresh produce. Likely a result of the corporation’s agreement with Publix, the new branch lacks a bakery and deli market.
The new Wal-Mart alone employs 200 people in full-time and part-time positions, Bales said. While she was unable to provide numbers, Bales added that her store already employs a noticeable number of students.
The Disabled American Veterans was one of several local charities and non-profits presented with a $1,000 check at a small ceremony Monday. The ceremony was attended by local groups such as the Chamber of Commerce and other non-profits, and hosted by the store managers and their families. The money will be used to help with the DAV’s van service and power wheelchair replacement program, as well as loaning out equipment for their disabled members. DAV is not funded by the government, and relies entirely on donations for support.
At the ceremony, the store gave away nearly $8,000 to local non-profits in appreciation for their support.
“It’s a good thing they recognized us for our service we do, but all our veterans will come here and shop,” Rick Lynch, officer of Chapter 24 of the DAV, said.
Bales also encouraged people to come out for the “retail-tainment,” that is the grand opening events on Aug. 6 that will feature free samples of treats and visits by corporate mascots.
“We’re going to have visits from Oreo and Chester Cheeto,” she said. “Different things to just make it a different kind of day at Wal-Mart.”
