Darien Walmart Fine Tunes 'Supercenter' for Grand Opening April 9

Walmart is getting ready for the big reveal of its newly expanded “supercenter” in Darien next week. The expanded store at 2189 S. 75th St. is open 24/7 and brings 80 news jobs to the local area.

The store will celebrate its grand opening with a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony at 8 a.m. April 9, when Walmart officially unveils the changes. The expansion adds approximately 50,000 square feet to the existing store and will offer a larger selection of merchandise for customers.

"On behalf of the City of Darien we welcome and congratulate Walmart on its expanded Darien store,” Mayor Kathleen Weaver in news advisory. “The expanded store increases local jobs, improves local sales tax revenue and draws more customers to the community.  Walmart continues to be an important part of our local business community."

New departments include fresh produce, bakery, deli and grocery. The full-line grocery carries organic and natural selections, in addition to local favorites.

The pharmacy offers a full range of products and services. Pharmacy team members can answer product and prescription questions and customers can ask about health and wellness solutions.

New to the offers pharmacy services, fresh produce, bakery, deli and  hours a day, seven days a week and offers pharmacy services.

Eric Galle, store manager, who got his start as a cart-pusher for Walmart, said that expanded Darien supercenter employes 300 full- and part-time associates, included the 80 recent hires.

“All the expanded departments are available to shoppers now, except for produce, meat and deli, which are shipping today,” Galle said Thursday. “Hopefully by Monday we’ll be fully operational. Shoppers will be able to go to the new departments.”

To kick off  the Darien Walmart Supercenter transformation, the store will host a “Big Family Welcome” celebration from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 12. Customers a chance to meet Galle and enjoy fun family activities such as face painting, cupcake decorating and free food samples while supplies last.