Businesses Anticipating New Walmart Markets

According to the El Paso County Clerk?s Office records, Walmart has made two purchases in Colorado Springs during the month of January.

The first purchase was of a building near Platte Avenue and Murray Boulevard. The building previously housed a King Soopers grocery store, but has been vacant for several years.

Walmart also purchased a plot of land near South Academy Boulevard and Chelton Road.

A spokeswoman for Walmart says they plan to open ?neighborhood markets,? which will be significantly smaller than the current supercenters. Walmart says the markets will be like your typical grocery stores.

Businesses near these locations said they are excited for the additional foot traffic they anticipate as a result of the addition of the Walmart markets.

?Having Walmart come back in, I think that strip mall will end up being prime real estate again and that can only benefit other businesses around. So, I?m really happy about that,? said Brett Ritchie, owner of Clifford?s Upholstery.

Walmart spokes person, Denia Garcia, said the markets will also bring new jobs to Colorado Springs.

?That?s one of the big benefits of both of these stores opening in Colorado Springs; total, it?s about 160 new jobs to the community. That?ll be full and part-time positions available with a full range of benefits,? said Garcia.

Garcia said the Platte and Murray market should be open for business by this fall. The South Academy and Chelton market will be open by the beginning of 2013.