Atmore’s new Walmart officially opened for business Wednesday at 7:45 a.m.

Prior to the opening, Walmart officials expressed their excitement about the new retail store.

“What you have done to make this store work is absolutely amazing,” said Chris Weinberg, Walmart market manager, who is responsible for the stores in Baldwin and Escambia counties.

Walmart regional manager John Tow said that although the company is large, it remains focused on its individual communities. Tow is responsible for most of the Walmart stores in Alabama.

“When I saw the fire truck outside with the giant American flag flying, it really warmed my heart,” he said. “Walmart might be a big company, but we started out in 1962 with one single store. And that’s how we run our company — one store at a time, and one community at a time.”

Atmore Mayor Jim Staff said the city was excited to have Walmart in town, and that the company had already proved its community spirit by donating to several local organizations. Walmart has contributed $1,000 to the VFW, $1,000 to the American Legion, $1,500 to the Atmore Fire Department, $1,500 to the Atmore Police Department, and $2,500 to the Atmore Area YMCA.

“You’ve often heard me say to be a fountain, not a drain,” Staff said. “Well, Walmart hasn’t made a single cent yet and they’ve already been a fountain for our community.”

The store is located off North Main Street, just south of Oak Hill Cemetery. It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

To view a photo gallery of Wednesday’s grand opening, visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Atmore-Advance/83649498468.