Walmart celebrates 30 years in Jefferson City

Beginning fourth decade
Cutting the ribbon to start Walmart’s fourth decade in Jefferson City were associates who either started working when the first store opened in 1984, or have been with the company 30 years or more. Pictured from left, front row, are Carolyn Bates, Paulette Schnell, Deb Bull, Fred Taylor, Peggy Boyd, Karen Booker and Deb Howell. In the second row, from left, are Linda Gray, Becky Miller, Chris Cox, Donna Broughton, Allan Evans, Jefferson City Mayor Mark Potts, and Councilman Ray Cain. In back, from left, are Bob Kinder, former Jefferson City Fire Chief; current Walmart Manager Joe Gibson; and District Marketing Manager Uli Correa. ~ DALE GENTRY | THE STANDARD BANNER

Jefferson City’s Walmart celebrated its 30th birthday Thursday, honoring several associates who have been with the store for three decades, and thanking customers who have helped it grow.

The original Jefferson City Walmart opened on November 13, 1984, in the space now occupied by Tractor Supply and Goody’s. Eleven years later it moved to its present location in the eastern part of the city.

“I wonder if people knew [then] what an impact Walmart would make?” asked Mayor Mark Potts, during Thursday’s ceremony. The store brought jobs, tax revenue and more retail opportunities, Potts said, but it has also been a “community partner” – a friend to non-profits, community organizations and the city, contributing thousands of dollars and support over the years.

“As we look at the growth in Jefferson City, I think it goes hand-in-hand with Walmart being here,” the mayor concluded.

Retired Jefferson City Fire Chief Bob Kinder recalled that the construction of Walmart in 1984 was the largest commercial project the city had seen at that time. As fire chief, he had to be sure the building met fire codes. He also remembered truck after truck arriving when it was time to stock the store.

Kinder was surprised at the store’s grand opening when he was called to the podium and presented a commemorative Walmart “key to the store.” He cherished the gift, and brought it back to Thursday’s ceremony.

Store #724 has had four managers in its 30 years. Richard Portch opened the store, and was followed by Bruce Graves. Randy Fleenor led the store for a number of years, and current manager Joe Gibson has been manager for the past 19 years.

Gibson took the opportunity Thursday to recognize nine “charter associates” who started with the store when it opened – Paulette Schnell, Deb Bull, Fred Taylor, Chris Cox, Linda Bible, Allan Evans, Linda Gray, Deb Howell and Karen Booker. Schnell, Bull, Taylor and Cox were presented their 30-year plaques and pins Thursday. Also recognized were four other employees who didn’t start at the Jefferson City store, but are 30-year employees with the company. They included Peggy Boyd, Donna Broughton, Carolyn Bates and Becky Miller.

“A lot of you have grown up with the store,” Gibson observed.

“Our people truly make the difference,” added Uli Correa, District Marketing Manager. “We thank you for what you do every day.”

Both Correa and Gibson thanked customers from Jefferson, Grainger and Hamblen counties who have supported Walmart in Jefferson City.

“You have choices. We know that, and we humbly thank you for choosing us every day and every week,” Correa said, adding that associates and managers are always willing to do the right thing for customers.

“We’re so grateful for your dedication to this store,” Gibson added.

Booker, who started as an invoice clerk and worked in receiving until she retired recently, said the advancement of technology and computers was the biggest change she saw in three decades at the store. “We couldn’t do this volume without them,” she said.

She remembered the store’s first computer took up a whole room upstairs. “When we moved, getting that sucker out of there was quite a deal,” she laughed. “Now, we have a computer that fits in the office on a rack and runs the whole store.”

Booker, who also did some hiring in her early days with Walmart, recalled people were waiting in line for a chance to work in the mid-1980’s.

Thursday’s special mid-day ceremonies concluded with a ribbon-cutting to begin Walmart’s fourth decade in Jefferson City.

The 13 “charter associates” participated, leading everyone in the Walmart cheer afterward.

Customers were then treated with free hot dogs, popcorn and other goodies to mark the milestone.
By Dale Gentry – The Standard Banner Publisher | Tuesday, November 18, 2014

630 E. Broadway
Jefferson City, TN 37760
(865) 475-0730
http://www.walmart.com/