78,000 sf Walmart coming to SoWal [opening June15]

**Alicia Leonard** · 02-10-2011, 03:15 PM

I had to go to Bluewater this morning and decided to run over and check out the new Niceville store. Nice store, different setup with pharmacy in the middle, but man, trying to get in and out was a little disorienting. They have a few roundabouts going into and out of the the parking lot. I think they may be having a few fender benders in their future. I have a very good sense of direction and I really had to scope it out in order to not get all turned around. I thought for a minute what a great Twilight Zone that would make. Shoppers check in, but they can't check out. They just keep circling the store...

**beachmouse** · 02-10-2011, 03:43 PM

The fender benders and worse are already happening at that new light. Annoying thing is that Ruckel has also begun to develop a 1,000+ unit housing development on the road that lets me avoid that stretch of Hwy 20. It's a conspiracy to force us onto the planned toll road, I tell ya.

**scooterbug44** · 02-10-2011, 03:50 PM

I know there was a massive traffic jam the day they opened.

**sunspotbaby** · 02-10-2011, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by scooterbug44

I know there was a massive traffic jam the day they opened.

SB, you really don't have to drive all the way over to Niceville to shop at Walmart.

**scooterbug44** · 02-10-2011, 05:05 PM

Silly, they were talking about it on the radio as part of the daily traffic report.

I drive to the Target in Pier Park or Destin if I can't absolutely can't find an item in Sowal.

**Smiling JOe** · 02-11-2011, 07:37 PM

I cannot recall the size of the normal Pulbix, but the one in WaterColor is about half size. From what I remember, the new Walmart on 98 will be about half the size of a NOT-So-Super-Walmart. I also recall one hoop the BCC made them promise was that the store had to be about 40% groceries. If they stick to that, they will have much less of the other crap. Maybe they will still have a tease of everything, but much, much less choice of brands and size selections. I saw the shiny new Not-So-Super-Walmart in Niceville this morning. It was busy and looks better tucked away off the main road.

**GoodWitch58** · 02-12-2011, 07:08 AM

I wonder if they will replant some trees so there is a buffer of natural landscaping between the store and the highway...I wish all businesses along 98 had to do this.
In Panama City, the places where a buffer of natural trees was left between the buildings and the highway are so much more attractive...

Also, I wonder when the rest of the median along 98 will be planted like that from Grand Blvd east to 30A? It is one of the nicest things ever done around here IMO.

**Teresa** · 02-12-2011, 07:52 AM

A small Walmart will be a blessing, imo! I know how much I love my tiny publix at WaterColor (except on the high season crowded times - but you learn when not to go).

**miznotebook** · 02-12-2011, 12:19 PM

Originally Posted by Glenda Wood

I wonder if they will replant some trees so there is a buffer of natural landscaping between the store and the highway...I wish all businesses along 98 had to do this.
In Panama City, the places where a buffer of natural trees was left between the buildings and the highway are so much more attractive...

Also, I wonder when the rest of the median along 98 will be planted like that from Grand Blvd east to 30A? It is one of the nicest things ever done around here IMO.

Those buffers do look nice, and I'm not sure about the median.
Since the Walmart is going on the U.S. 98 Scenic Corridor, the landscape plan was required to be reviewed by the Scenic Corridor Review Board along with the other aspects of the aesthetics. There are requirements for developments on the corridor for a certain number of trees and the types of trees that are planted. Since Topsail Preserve State Park and the Topsail West tract where the store will be located were originally one St. Joe property before the state acquired the park, I understand that vegetation preservation requirements for that whole property were considered to have been satisfied by Topsail Preserve.

seafolly · 02-12-2011, 01:15 PM

Forget,Walmart-we need a Fresh Market.

**Douglas the Intrepid** · 02-12-2011, 01:56 PM

I wish they would hurry up and put in the fresh market at Pier Park. I hate driving to Destin in the summer!

**Teresa** · 02-12-2011, 03:38 PM

Originally Posted by Douglas the Intrepid

I wish they would hurry up and put in the fresh market at Pier Park. I hate driving to Destin in the summer!

really? I am excited! I hardly ever go to Fresh Market in Destin unless I just happen to be over that way and I have the time. Driving to destin is the worst!

**kurt** · 06-04-2011, 02:22 PM

I heard opening was mid June, but not sure of exact date.

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**Lake View Too** · 06-04-2011, 02:35 PM

It's either 15th or 18th. Nice pic.

**sunspotbaby** · 06-04-2011, 02:47 PM

http://www.waltonsun.com/news/walmar...re-walton.html

**Waterbaddrinkwine** · 06-04-2011, 06:40 PM

They should have put it on 395 next to the new power sub station and the decorative power poles!

**beachteach** · 06-04-2011, 09:29 PM

There is no garden center at the new Walmart, nor is there an Autocenter.

**Beach Runner** · 06-05-2011, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by Waterbaddrinkwine

They should have put it on 395 next to the new power sub station and the decorative power poles!

What is the deal with the new power poles? Big ugly concrete ones separated by shorter wooden ones. Hubby started giving me a physics lesson about catenaries and other such stuff ... I zoned out.

Originally Posted by beachteach

There is no garden center at the new Walmart, nor is there an Autocenter.

I know I said I'd never go into that WalMart, but if they had a garden center, I'd be tempted. I miss the convenience of Eastern Lake Nursery in Seagrove. I guess the closest one is the Ace on 98 in PCB?