By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
The Walmart Supercenter in Hays celebrated the completion of a major store remodel Friday with a grand reopening ceremony.
The event at store 664 kicked off with a presentation by the Boy Scouts of America followed by remarks from the Chamber in Hays, which hosted the event, and Walmart representatives.
"Walmart Supercenter, as it stands today, is an integral component of the economic vitality of Hays, Ellis County and our region," Chamber in Hays CEO Sarah Wasinger said. "We are truly thankful for their investment in our community."
The store layout has undergone several changes during the past few months. With the remodel complete, several departments and aisles have been relocated, while the grocery aisles remain largely unchanged.
Wasinger also thanked Walmart for supporting local events, education initiatives and child care efforts. As part of the celebration, Walmart presented community grants to several organizations and projects, including the Lovegrass Music Festival Association, the Rush County Sheriff’s Office, the city of Victoria splash pad project and United Way of Ellis County.
Thomas More Prep-Marian senior Braden Gilmore also was recognized for his mental health advocacy work alongside High Plains Mental Health Center. Store Manager Kristen Harvey said Gilmore approached Walmart for support while working on a senior capstone project focused on mental health. Walmart donated $500 to High Plains in connection with the project.
The ceremony also included recognition for associates with longtime service to the store, including several employees with more than 40 years of service. Market Manager Chad Rohr said the Hays location is unique because of its long-term local leadership.
"We live here. We love it here and it's where we want to be. First and foremost to the community of Hays, we want to extend it to our customers a huge appreciation for allowing us to be apart of the community over all the years," Rohr said.
During the event, Walmart also announced the addition of three new veteran parking spaces on the north side of the store next to the online grocery pickup area.
The ceremony ended with the “Walmart cheer,” led by associate Nathan Mendoza. You can follow the Hays Walmart Facebook page here.
