While shoppers came out in force Wednesday to inspect Bakersfield's first Super Walmart a few people found the grand opening, a little sad.
The new Walmart at Panama Lane and Highway 99 replaces the old Walmart at 2300 White Lane.
Store Manager Harry Fenske said when he arrived at his new Super Walmart store at 5 in the morning, people were already lined up outside.
"When we opened at 8,'' he said. ''The stream of people has continued to come in and it's good and steady," Fenske said.
This type of Walmart layout is the first of its kind in Bakersfield.
It offers fresh produce, a full-service deli, frozen foods, dairy products, and meats.
It also has the usual line of products patrons expect.
Donna Westberry lives in Shafter, and likes the convenience of the Super Walmart.
"I could just come here and get everything done at once," Westberry said. "I can get my hair cut, my nails done, grocery shopping, food."
Many shoppers also said they have waited for years for this store to open.
"I live in the Almond Tree Development Center and that was one of the promises they made by our house," Bob Maurillo said. "Six years later, we've got our main store here, a super Walmart"
But over at the old Walmart on White Lane, which closed earlier this week, some shoppers like Debbie Trevino said she will miss it.
The small businesses who share the same parking lot are already feeling the impact.
The barber shop has not had as many walk-ins, and the Chinese resturant misses the Walmart employees who used to come for lunch.
"It's really shocking just to see an empty parking lot everyday now," said Panda Wok employee Samantha Vasquez.
The owner of the donut shop said they may have to close early now that Walmart is gone.
"It hurts everybody," she said. "We hope somebody going to open something so we have business"
City officials wanted to make sure the big box on White Lane wouldn't remain empty for long.
Jim Eggert with the Bakersfield City Planning Department said when Walmart applied to build the super store on Panama Lane, part of the deal was for Walmart to have the White Lane Location occuppied in five years.
A spokesperson for Walmart said the company is the process of selling the building, but will not disclose information about the buyer.
As for the Super Walmart, the corporation plans to build more in Bakersfield.
Walmart spokesperson Aaron Ruiz said plans to expand into a Super Walmart for the East Hills Mall location have been approved by the city.
Eggert said plans include the demolition of the old Vons grocery store next door.
It has been sitting vacant for years.
The Walmart at the Gosford Road and District Boulevard is scheduled to be open in the spring of 2010.
Ruiz said it will be a Super Walmart as well.
When asked what he had to say to people who believe Walmarts ruin a community, store manager Harry Fenske had this to say about the crowd.
"I think, if you pan around and look at it, the community has been looking forward to this. We're here to give them a great value, and I think the community is speaking for itself right now."
