:The Laurel Outlook:News

Laurel's new Wal-Mart Supercenter featuring a rustic, cabin-like façade opened to the public this morning, Wednesday, Oct. 24, after a brief grand opening ceremony at 7:30 am. The store is located at 101 Bernhardt Road.

In celebration of its grand opening, the Laurel Supercenter announced $29,500 in donations to area organizations.

Laurel grant recipients include Laurel Ambulance Service, Laurel Volunteer Fire Department, Laurel Police Department, Laurel Public Library, Community Hope, Graff Elementary School, Laurel High School, Laurel Jaycees, Laurel Middle School, Laurel Senior Citizens Center, Laurel West Elementary School, and Laurel Chamber of Commerce.

Store Manager Rayellen Johnson said the new Supercenter sign, visible to those traveling along Interstate 90 may serve as an impetus for travelers to stop and shop in Laurel. “Laurel is the hub of Montana. It's right in the middle of everything,” she observed.

Wal-Mart associates have been stocking the racks, shelves and refrigerators in all the departments throughout the store to get it ready for the opening.

The new 155,000-square-foot Wal-Mart Supercenter features wide aisles and concrete and wood-laminate flooring throughout the store. Easy-to-read interior signage helps shoppers navigate through the store's more than 30 general merchandise departments and expansive grocery selections. The grocery department offers shoppers a bakery, meat, dairy, fresh produce, a frozen foods section and an expanded organic selection.

As a Supercenter, the store also offers customers a large home organization department, an infant section, and an expanded electronics department offering the latest digital cameras, media players, DVD players and high-definition, LCD and plasma televisions. Family apparel, health and beauty aids, household needs, toys, an expanded lawn and garden center, jewelry and shoes are also available at the new store.

Other added conveniences of the new store include a pharmacy, a vision center, a one-hour photo lab, a SmartStyle Family Hair Salon, DaVi nail salon, a Subway restaurant, a Wal-Mart Connect Center and beer and wine sales.

The Laurel Supercenter will include 15 full-service and six express check-out lanes. It will be open to customers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

As of September 2007, Wal-Mart employed 4,764 associates in the state of Montana and owned and operated nine Supercenters, three Discount Stores, and one Sam's Clubs.

In the fiscal year ended 2007, Wal-Mart paid more than $7.4 million in state and local taxes in the state of Montana.

Like all Wal-Mart stores, the Laurel store will provide grant dollars throughout the year to help its neighborhood organizations. Area organizations interested in learning more about funding from Wal-Mart or interested in raising money at Wal-Mart stores can contact the store for details, or go to walmartfoundation.org.