Future Walmart 'Neighborhood Market' in Lithonia To Create 90 Jobs

The Neighborhood Market that Walmart plans to build in place of the Big Lots at Covington Square in Lithonia would create about 90 jobs, according to Bill Wertz, Walmart's director of community and media relations, east.

Most of the jobs are full time, he said.

There's still some time before the hiring process begins. Demolition of the Big Lots, whose lease is coming up at Covington Square, has to happen first.

Construction of the new 40,000 square foot store would start next year, Wertz said.

Between the Neighborhood Market and the new L.A. Fitness under construction across the street, about 140 jobs are expected to be created in the area from those two businesses.

In the first Patch article about the Walmart's plans for a Neighborhood Market in Lithonia, some Patch readers wrote that they would like it to see job creation come in the form of more upscale grocery options in the area.

Commented Dee Williams: Why is that Walmart, family dollar, & Cvs drugs only want to expand in our neighborhoods. I'm all for growth & jobs but why can't we get a whole foods instead. Dekalb is a thriving middle class area. We shouldn't have to travel out of our neighborhoods to experience better shops, grocery stores and restaurants.

Some don't see Whole Foods becoming a local employer. Wrote reader Bruce Mitchell: Dreaming aside, while there are some thriving people in S.Dekalb, the fact of the matter is there are pockets of not so thriving and the mentality of many citizens isn't about supporting a Whole Foods type of business. Being realistic has to precede realization.

What do you think about the Neighborhood Market's plans to create 90 jobs at its proposed Lithonia store? Is this a good thing for the community, or would you rather see a different type of establishment boosting employment in the Stone Mountain-Lithonia area? Tell us in the comment section below.

You may also be interested in reading:

[Video] Memorial Drive Walmart Construction Underway

Family Dollar Store Under Construction on Panola

Walmart Opens Neighborhood Market in Alpharetta

Neighborhood Market Celebrates Grand Opening in Snellville

Walmart to Begin Construction on Winters Chapel Road

More Neighhorhood Markets Coming to Atlanta Metro Area

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