The new Walmart Neighborhood Market at Highway 39N and 33rd Street is in its final construction stages and preparing, but not yet ready to welcome customers.

That’s not to say customers aren’t prepared to welcome the new store. Thursday afternoon, store employees turned away three would-be customers at the door.

“We’ve had to cover doors and put signs up saying we’re not open for business yet,” store manager Nathan Gragg said. “They’re ready to shop. People who drive to the Supercenter on 19 will be happy with the convenience of their shopping experience.”

The 42,000-square-foot facility will employ 105, according to Gragg. In comparison, the Supercenter near Bonita Lakes is 210,000 square feet, while the Supercenter on Highway 19 is 184,000 square feet. 

The store’s grand opening is scheduled for April 12, with a ribbon cutting at 7 a.m.. Gragg said customers will be free to shop afterward.

Walmart Neighborhood Market is a chain of grocery stores begun by Walmart in 1998. The stores are designed to be the opposite of the larger supercenters, according to the company’s website.

The new store is located between Highway 39N and Old Marion Road. Carlson Consulting Engineers Inc. of Bartlett, Tenn., is the engineer, for the $12 million project.

Gragg said the new store will be unique in its offerings.

“We don’t offer general merchandise, like electronics and sporting goods. We’re going to have your more basic items, like your health and beauty aids and your basic dry goods,” Gragg said. “We’re designed more for in and out faster shopping than an afternoon stroll through the supercenter. People like to go to the supercenter to stroll around. Here people will be able to pick up a loaf of bread or a gallon of milk on their way home from work.”

Gragg said location is key.

“I worked at the supercenter across town on Highway 19. Our design is more for in and out. We maybe have a few more specialty items on the food side. This location has a lot more depth than the Highway 19 Supercenter,” Gragg said. “There is a lot of traffic that goes through here to the Highway 19 Supercenter from this side of town. This location relieves that traffic flow. It gives residents on this side of town more availability.”

Gragg said a Buy Mississippi Program will focus on purchasing homegrown food staples.

“We do have local buyers and suppliers. About everything Mississippi grows we get supplied, like watermelons and squash,” Gragg said. 

Gragg has spent 17 years with Walmart. His wife, Kim, is Bonita Lakes Walmart store manager. He said store openings aren’t the most enjoyable part of his job, but it will improve soon.

“I love being in the store with customers and making sure we’ve got the items they need. We don’t have customers right now, so I miss that part of the process,” Gragg said.   

During the grand opening, the store will honor a veteran as the first customer. The business will also support area non-profits with contributions.

Gragg said the store is not in competition with other nearby grocery stores, such as the two Winn-Dixie stores, also on Highway 39 to the north and south. The Winn-Dixie at Highway 39N and North Hills Street was remodeled and had a grand reopening last June.

“We don’t consider (competition) a lot. We focus on how we can help people save money. We want to be a part of this community and it’s not all about competition,” Gragg said. “This gives residents on the east side of Meridian the option to shop. If we’re here, we give them that option. Our main goal is to help people save money.”

Winn-Dixie Assistant Manager Jeffery Magee said he was prohibited from commenting because of company policy. However, two Winn-Dixie shoppers offered their views on where they will shop in the future.

“I think it will be too much competition,” Angela Sikes said. “Walmart has put a lot of places out of business. I try to avoid Walmart.”

Stephanie Rush was more diplomatic. 

“I like Winn-Dixie; I like Walmart. I’ll shop here or wherever is convenient for me. I have no problem shopping at either store,” Rush said.