Mount Olive Walmart Supercenter Manager Keneshia Roddick, left, and Denise Elliott, who has worked at Walmart for 33 years, cut the ribbon Friday morning, July 7, as the store celebrated its grand reopening following months of remodeling and improvements. In the background is Alton Thompson, store personnel manager. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
As part of its grand re-opening on Friday, July 7, following months of store renovations and improvements, the Mount Olive Walmart Supercenter made a $1,000 donation to Alkebulan Community Reform. Store Manager Keneshia Roddick, left, and Alton Thompson, right, personnel manager, present a symbolic check to Michael Olliver, Alkebulan Community Reform executive director, and his wife Jessica Olliver. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
As part of it grand re-opening on Friday, July 7, the Mount Olive Walmart Supercenter made a $1,000 donation to All the King’s Children. Store Manager Keneshia Roddick, left, and Alton Thompson, right, personnel manager, present a symbolic check to Marsha U. Whitley, All the King’s Children founder. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
As part of it grand re-opening on Friday, July 7, the Mount Olive Walmart Supercenter made a $1,000 donation to the Men of Faith Integrity and Character. Store Manager Keneshia Roddick, second from left, presents a symbolic check to Al Southerland, who help found the nonprofit. From left are Alton Thompson, store personnel manager, Roddick, and Men of FIC members Bobby Kornegay, Charlie Holloway, Southerland, Vernon Lee and Danny McLean. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
Mount Olive Walmart Supercenter employees pay tribute to their late co-worker and store manager Eric Cortes by releasing balloons. The release was part of the store’s grand re-opening ceremony on Friday, July 7, following months of renovations and improvements. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)
The Mount Olive Walmart Supercenter celebrated completion of a months-long remodeling project Friday morning, July 7, with a grand re-opening ceremony that included a ribbon cutting. It was also a time of recognizing of community partnerships with the presentation of $1,000 grants to three local nonprofits — Alkebulan Community Reform; All the King’s Children; and the Men of Faith Integrity and Character.
Mount Olive Town Commissioner Tommy Brown focused his comments on the store’s community partnerships, particularly during times of disaster. He spoke of the store’s assistance in the aftermaths of hurricanes Matthew and Florence.
Brown, the town’s former chief of police, also praised the store’s leadership for its willingness to help with the Shop with a Cop program.
“Walmart is an awesome resource for this community,” Brown said. “It is not only a blessing to this Mount Olive area, but you think about the folks coming from Newton Grove, Sampson County, Duplin County. It is a blessing for this whole surrounding area, and for that I am truly grateful.”
Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, a balloon release was held in memory of Eric Cortes, a former Mount Olive Walmart manager, who died in April.
The Goldsboro High School ROTC presented the colors and store employee Ciera Carlton sang the National Anthem.
Outside the store, a bouncy house was set up and vendors had set up for free giveaways. Two Mount Olive fire trucks were on display.
“We started this journey in late February,” store manager Keneshia Roddick said. “It has been a journey. This has been my first actual construction remodel, leading the team. This remodel is not only an investment in the store but also in our customers and city.
“I’m proud of our associates for their hard work and for getting us to the finish line; we look forward to exceeding our customers’ expectations as we continue to serve the Mount Olive community.”
Roddick said she appreciated the store employees who had stood by her side as she came up with some “crazy” ideas. They are, she told them, like a family to her. She thanked them as well for all they do for the store and the community.
“Without you we would not be able to make a difference in the communities,” Roddick added.
The project included updating and streamlined technology throughout the store, she said. That includes better registers and more self checkouts in order to provide faster service, Roddick said.
All of the fresh departments (bakery, fruits, produce) were updated with added signs and counters. Also updated were the entertainment and technology departments and display areas were added across the store.
Roddick highlighted the store’s transformed departments as well as the new interactive features now available to customers, including: expanded online, pickup and delivery services; new digital menu boards; expanded self-check-out options and updated registers; new platform displays and light fixtures; freshly painted interior and exterior; a Mount Olive-inspired mural; new and expanded merchandise in every department; new signs throughout the store;
Upgrades at the Mount Olive Walmart Supercenter include but are not limited to: Activated corners;elevated departments; and more space to discover.
