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RESURRECTING LIBERTY
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READY FOR SHOPPERS: Jason Steele of Austintown, a Wal-Mart associate who works in stock, hugs his 21-month-old daughter, NancyRose, as they walk through aisles of the new store that opens today. An open house took place Tuesday for business people, community leaders and family and friends of store employees. Steele was laid off from Delphi Packard Electric.
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UPDATED LOOK: The new store in the Liberty Plaza, which opens to the public at 8 a.m. today, has a sleek look and a mix of earthy light-brown tones on the outside and a bright interior. It also is a prototype store in its use of technology including a water-source heating, cooling and refrigeration system.
Wal-Mart is infusing new life into the area, business people say.
LIBERTY — When shoppers descend on Wal-Mart off Belmont Avenue today, they’ll be able to buy milk at $1.88 a gallon and Lay’s potato chips for $1.98.
But they’ll be doing more than spending money and bringing traffic to state Route 193.
They’ll be infusing new life into the Liberty Plaza and the Liberty business district in general, township officials and business owners say.
A glimpse of that occurred Tuesday night when representatives from some 80 township businesses along with more than 300 township and community leaders and family and friends of Wal-Mart associates visited the store at what was billed a VIP open house.
For Jack Simon, township trustee, Wal-Mart’s presence infuses “life back into a way of life” at the Liberty Plaza. “The Liberty Plaza used to be a hub where people came to shop, and it will be again,” he said. “People remember coming here.”
Simon said he believed the store will generate more traffic in the township, and that, in turn, will benefit other businesses and draw some new ones.
For Jason Steele of Austintown, who was showing off the store to his fianc e, Rhonda Hartman, also of Austintown, and 21-month-old daughter NancyRose Steele, Wal-Mart means a new start. He was laid off and took a buyout from Delphi Packard Electric and landed a stock position at the store.
“Wal-Mart gives you the opportunity to move up,” he said. “It’s going to be nuts tomorrow [today’s opening],” he said, but noted he was looking forward to it.
For Denise Stevens of Liberty, a merchandise supervisor, her position means “living seven minutes away” from work. She’s been with the company 15 years and transferred to the Liberty store. “As a resident of Liberty Township, it’s good for the community. As an employee, I’m excited about the opening,” she said.
Peggy Gum, owner of Allstate Insurance, 5353 Belmont Ave., said she opened her business in August 2005 because she saw “potential in the township.” She said it was a positive sign that Wal-Mart saw the opportunity in the shopping market here as well.
She also noted so many people remembered shopping at the Liberty Plaza but drifted away when many of the big-name stores closed.
“Everyone shopped here,” she said, and noted Wal-Mart would help bring them back.
For Alan Friedkin of Friedkin Realty, 3223 Belmont Ave., the opening of Wal-Mart has brought many inquiries about property and vacant stores. “I’ve seen some national interest,” he said. “I think they want to see what the traffic counts will be.”
He said inquiries about properties available have come from restaurants and other types of businesses.
“In the last couple of days, I have been kind of shocked about the increased interest in the market,” he said, but noted he is “very excited” about it.
And he added the taxes also will help the community and school system.
Friedkin, who has lived in Liberty since 1978, said, “I’ve seen the ups, the downs and the turnaround.”
Merv and Marlene Hollander, owners of Weather Tite Windows, 1596 Motor Inn Drive, just off Belmont, said a new business that brings increased traffic to the community is a positive thing. “More people will shop,” Merv Hollander said, and both Wal-Mart and small businesses will benefit.
He added, “This sharpens competition and that helps the customers.”
For Steve Stoyak, president of Liberty Business Association, Wal-Mart brings “new businesses and opportunities” he wrote in an e-mail.
“I have spoken with numerous small business people, store owners and restaurant managers on the Belmont strip. The feeling is overwhelmingly positive about the change. Just a short drive down the street demonstrates the effect — new businesses, new store facades, more pedestrian traffic, fewer empty storefronts and a sense that the area is experiencing a rebirth of a vital business district,” he wrote.
Thomas Urena, store manger, who has been with Wal-Mart for 25 years, said the store exemplifies a new concept — more graphics and signage to help customers find what they’re looking for. “We want to have ease of shopping,” he said.
He said the typical Wal-Mart shopper is female. “Many are single mothers trying to make ends meet. They take advantage of specials,” he said. Urena said Wal-Mart’s slogan, “Save money, live better,” applies to all shoppers who frequent the store.
To be part of the community, the store has stocked some Youngstown State University and Liberty High School Leopards fan gear.
And it has another drawing card with boxing champion Kelly Pavlik visiting the store from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday.
linonis@vindy.com
WHAT’S IN STORE
The Wal-Mart store opens in Liberty at 8 a.m. today to the public. A brief ribbon-cutting ceremony will be at 7:30.
kStore facts: Wal-Mart, 200 Goldie Road, is in the Liberty Plaza. Thomas Urena is manager of the 157,000-square-foot store, which is open from 6 a.m. to midnight seven days a week.
kFeatures: Full line of groceries including a bakery, a deli serving fresh food and meals, meat and dairy products, fresh produce and beer and wine.
kEmployment: The store will have about 325 associates. The average wage for full-time hourly associates in Ohio is about $11.43 per hour.
kContact: Store phone, (330) 759-2066.
Source: Wal-Mart