Company completes first-of-its-kind, multi-million-dollar conversion to Neighborhood Market on MLK Jr. Drive, bringing essential fresh food and pharmacy services to the community
Walmart is welcoming customers to its brand-new Neighborhood Market in Vine City, located at 835 MLK Jr. Drive, with a re-grand opening ceremony on May 22. Community members and Walmart leadership will be joined by Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens to commemorate the notable return of the Vine City Walmart that was closed following fire damage in December 2022.
For the first time in its history, Walmart has converted a Supercenter into a unique Neighborhood Market model, which offers affordable, fresh produce, meat and dairy products, bakery and deli items, household supplies, health and beauty aids, and a pharmacy. The newly reopened store will help meet the needs of the Vine City community, which would otherwise have limited choices for fresh food and pharmacy services.
“When the store closed in Vine City, the community was upset and held a vigil. I immediately met with Walmart leadership and worked with them through a variety of options to re-open the store and ensure this community would not remain a food desert,” said Mayor Andre Dickens. “I am grateful to Walmart for their commitment to re-invest in our community and join my administration’s efforts to improve the quality of life for our residents.”
The Vine City Neighborhood Market spans 75,000 square feet, nearly double the size of the typical format. This format includes a full-service deli, Money Center, expanded bakery, and Online Pickup and Delivery service. The new and expanded pharmacy features more cooler capacity for larger on-site inventory and five full-service windows. Additionally, a new Health Service Room will offer immunizations, health screenings, consultations, medication therapy management, and other vital services.
“When we committed to rebuilding this location, we knew how important it was to have meaningful discussions with both local officials and members of the community to identify what needs were most crucial. Then, we got to work building a store that met those necessities,” said Limark Tucker, senior director and market manager overseeing the Vine City Walmart. “We are thankful for the leadership of the City of Atlanta and Invest Atlanta. They have been very supportive of our efforts to provide these vital services in the community, and we will continue to work closely with them throughout this process.”
The Neighborhood Market’s reopening demonstrates
- Atlanta Community Food Bank ($2,000)
- H.O.P.E. Atlanta ($2,000)
- Warrior GMR Foundation ($2,500)
- Bearstrong, Inc. ($2,000)
- H.E.Y. Atlanta ($2,000)
- Hands On Atlanta ($2,000)
The re-grand opening celebration is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. on May 22 and include remarks from local Walmart representatives, Mayor Andre Dickens and other community leaders, leading up to the ribbon cutting. Community members are invited to attend the event, which will include a live DJ, photo opportunities with the Coca-Cola polar bears and Tony The Tiger, plus activations and samples from Pepsi, Frito Lay, Nestle, Red Bull, Pepperidge Farm, Utz, Bimbo and more.
This Atlanta Neighborhood Market features a captivating mural by artist Rio Sirah, who uses bright colors and graffiti-style linework to highlight Atlanta’s vibrant energy and passion for sports. The artwork juxtaposes iconic stadiums like State Farm Arena and Mercedes-Benz Stadium against a nighttime view of the city skyline.
Rio’s artistic vision is inspired by his nomadic travels as a kid. He has also worked in costume design, special effects makeup, film, and dance. The artwork is part of Walmart’s Community Mural Program – the largest public-facing art installation in the nation – which celebrates communities across America and is a unique example of Walmart’s commitment to its local communities.
For more information about this store, please Contact Walmart Media Relations (walmart.com)
About Walmart
Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) is a people-led, tech-powered omnichannel retailer helping people save money and live better – anytime and anywhere – in stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, approximately 255 million customers and members visit more than 10,500 stores and numerous eCommerce websites in 19 countries. With fiscal year 2024 revenue of $648 billion, Walmart employs approximately 2.1 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunities. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting corporate.walmart.com
